ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16566, 2 June 1914, Page 8

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

BURNED TO DEATH

FAMILY OF SIX PERISHES.. By Telegraph—Pimb Association—Copyright. (Received Juno 2. 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, June 1.

Diverson, a miner, his wife and four children were burned to death in their beds in a Dover cottage, which was destroyed, by fire. Two other inmates were severely injured.

A DOCTOR’S DEATH

OVERDOSE OF SLEEPING DRAUGHT. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, June 1Dr Alexander Grahame, of Waikouaiti. died suddenly at his residence, at four o’clock yesterday morning. It appears that ho rose during tho night to tako some mixture of bromide, and must have swallowed ail overdose.

Dr Grahame was married, and iortytwo years of age. At an inquest on the. body of tho late Dr Grahame ,of Waikouaiti, tho wife of the deceased said that about 4 a.m. yesterday he rose from bed saying he was going to get another dose of bromide, which lie was in the habit of taking. About 3 p.m. on Saturday lie had taken a dose. When deceased went to bed he showed signs of having had some liquor and after the first dose of bromide he became somewhat dazed and was restless in his sleep. Ho was considerably dazed when he got up at four o’clock. Since Tuesday he. had been drinking occasionally but had not touched liquor for the nreviems thirteen weeks. Witness funnel him in a state of collapse. Dr Howdon (Palmerston) stated that it was highly probable that death was caused by an overdose of sleeping draught. Deceased was occasionally in the habit of taking some drink and it took little to upset him. Witness did not think for a moment ho was a man who would commit suicide. Tf the deceased took the amount now out of tho bottle in two doses between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. that would be sufficient to cause death. Dr Harrison, who made a post mortem examination, found the early stages of pneumonia, and both lungs sh.owed evidence of old trouble. The liver was congested and the heart slightly fatty. None of these signs would cause. sudden death but taken in conjunction with an overdose of sleeping draught would speedily cause death, the resistance of the body being much lower through the use of tho drug. A person taking an overdose of the mixture at 8 p.m. would still bo stupefied at 4 a.m. and would probably not bo in a state to judge the quantity ho was taking. Tlie jury found, “That the deceased died from an overdose of bromide selfadministered, all the evidence pointing to tho fact that the action was accidental, and that the weakened state of tho organs shown by tho postmortem probably assisted to cause death.”

A SINGULAR DEATH. [Per Press Association.] HASTINGS, June 1. At an inquest on the body of Andrew Tomb, aged fifty-one, single, who was found dead on the Havelock bridge on Sunday morning, the evidence showed the deceased had been drinking at tho house of a friend at Havelock and left to walk to Hastings. Apparently ho sat on tho rail of the bridge and went to sleep, and fell forward. "When the body was found deceased was on his feet jn a stooping position, his left hand gripping the top rail, with his head hanging between his knees. His coat collar was turned up and buttoned tightly. A verdict was returned that death was due to asphyxiation whilst in a state of intoxication. The deceased was an old resident of Hastings and was in comfortable circumstances.

DUNEDIN INQUESTS. [Pir Press Association.]

DUNEDIN, June 1. The inquest on the body of William Bills, found near the end of the Victoria Wharf on March 30, was resumed to-day. The inquest had been adjourned sine die owing to the exact nature of the cause of death not having been ascertained by means of a post mortem examination. The police gave evidence that further inquiries had been made but that there was no additional information. The Coroner said the medical evidence had shown that death was due to severe injuries to the head but whether these were caused accidentally or otherwise there was nothing to show. Ho could only return what was practically an open verdict. An inquest was held this afternoon into the circumstances connected with the death of John Semple, labourer, who died on Saturday evening as the result of injuries to the spine through falling from a load of hay at Milburn. The evidence showed that a band of straw broke with tho result that deceased fell heavily to the ground. The spine was not broken but medical testimony showed that the spinal ligaments had been ruptured and tho injury was probably caused by momentary dislocation. A verdict was returned in accordance with the evidence, no blame being attachable to anyone. MOTOR-CAlt ACCIDENT. A serious motor-car accident happened about four miles from Moth veil on Saturday morning, when the Rev Dr Kennedy, Messrs Hugh Kennedy, J ames M’Grenor and Charles M’Crenor were all more or less injured. On tile previous day Charles M Crenor had sustained an injury to one of his arms and was being taken to the Ashburton County Hospital in a motor-car driven by Mr Hugh Kennedy. Shortly alter leaving Mr M’C'renor’s residence one of tho tyres was punctured in crossing a bad spot Eie road, with the lcsult that the car was overturned, but righted itself again. All tlio occupants were thrown heavily on to tlio road. Dr Kennedy sustained an injured arm and received several cuts and biuises, Mr Hugh Kennedy sustained injuries to his skull and was cut about tho faco, Mr James M’Crenor had a rib broken, while Mr Charles M’Crenor got off with cuts and bruises. Tho services ot two modical men were obtained and those injured weEC extended t®, 2,’Jie car, which belonged to Mr James M’Crej nor, was badly damaged.