INSTANTANEOUS DEATH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 93, 3 April 1934, Page 7

INSTANTANEOUS DEATH

Fall Down Smooth Clift Face END TO DEERSTALKING TRIP (By Telegraph-Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 3. At the inquest into the death of Thomas Franklin Hodge, aged 19, single, who was killed b> a fall over a cliff near Cass on Sunday, the coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. The medical evidence was to the effect that death had been instantaneous, from head injuries. Hodge's companion, Desmond Jack Richardson, told a graphic story of their attempt to return to Cass over rough country after a deer-stalking trip. Each was carrying a deerskin and a set of antlers.. They struck camp at 9.45 a.m. on Sunday and made down the face of a hill, striking many bluffs and slides. They were endeavouring to find a path, and witness was looking over a cliff seeking a deer track, and so was Hodge. Witness heard a clatter, and saw Hodge sliding down the smooth rock face. He disappeared over the edge of the cliff. Witness waited to see if he called, but as it was impossible for witness to get down he made for Cass for assistance, arriving there at 1 atm. on Monday. A search party wag organised and witness returned with it, getting back to the body at 7.30 a.m. He thought the drop was 700 feet.