WOMAN’S DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1939, Page 5

WOMAN’S DEATH

INQUEST FINDING.

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

' ( -WESTPORT, -February 14. That Catherine Ryan died from shock resulting from hemorrhage, from a wound in The occipital region of the head., accidentally caused by a fall a£ fieVTl<ffiie H oiYSunday,*' 1 Was the vbr--dict returned ,this afternoon by the Coroner, (Mr G. Taylor) at the inquest into her death.

Mr J. P. Comerford gave evidence that on Sunday morning he went over to see if the woman wanted anything. .He knocked at the front door and got uo reply. He looxed through the bedroom window anfl saw the woman lying ou her back in a pool of blood. A piece of wood about 18 inche s long was lyinA beside - her and witness called uouii Menzies, who went into the house by a window. A doctor /was summoned and the injured woman was removed to hospital. In Mrs ltyau’a room there was blood over the liqor, as if she had fallen down and cut her head and then walked apbout the room, . ; .

Patrick Ryan, a son of Mrs Ryan, gave evidence that.his mother had oiie or two accidents recently.. On one •

occasion she fell and broke a wrist. ■ Corroborative evidence was given by John Menzies, Constable Condon, and Dr. Foote, vho also said Mrs Ryan was. unconscious and obviously suffering from hemorrhage arid ' shock. He prescribed treatment which improved her condition, but she collapsed at . 7 p.m. .and died. The wound on tho head ‘ was, quite, consistent .with the belief ,that-.she. had fallen .off a chair rind struck her head on a sharp piece of ’iron. • There was nothing (to suggest she, had been struck a blow on the head by any other person.