INQUEST AT STRATFORD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1534, 25 January 1887, Page 2

INQUEST AT STRATFORD.

SAD FATALITY.

(from our own correspondent.)

An inquest was held on Monday, 24th inst., before Mr. G. A. Marchaut, actingcoroner, on the circumstances attending the death of Helena Jessie Bonnor, a promising child of nine years of age, who was killed on Sunday through the sash of a window falling on her neck.

The following jury were sworn : — Messrs. Paton (foreman), McKenzie, Taylor, Smith, Luigman, and Divehall.

The evidence disclosed that the child was on a visit to her aunt, Mrs. W. Blair; and that on Sunday morning she had been told to go and fetch a saucepan which was outside the new house recently built for Mr. T. Blair, the inmates of which were absent at church. There was a sliding sash close to the back .door,, which had no balance weights, and' was not propped up. It was, however, open, and was kept in position through the sash being slanted sideways a little, thereby jamming tbe window. Tbe child was not tall enough for her head to reach tbe sill, but there was a boiler close to tbe window, and it is supposed that she put one foot on it and was" looking: in, out of childish curiosity, when the sash suddenly slipped, and fell on the neck behind the ear, dislocating the neck and causing instantaneous deatb.

Dr. Chilton deposed that death was instantaneous, and another witness said that when the child was found there was no sign of a struggle, but, on tbe contrary, there was a smile on her face. The child had only left her uncle's bouse about ten minute 3, when lie, strolling towards his son's house, was horrified at seeing her banging on the window sill. He rushed to her assistance and raised the sasb, but, as already said, she was beyond human help.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death in accordance with the evidence, and added a rider that, in their opinion, the practice of having sliding sashes without balance weights is a dangerous one, and should be discontinued.

Much sympathy is felt for the relatives, who are old, well-known settlers m the district.