THE LATE MR. CHARLES BEAVER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LII, Issue 4798, 20 August 1932, Page 3

THE LATE MR. CHARLES BEAVER.

COR ONI A L INQUIRY,

ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

A formal verdict of accidental death was returned by the Coroner (Mr. A. J. Graham) at an inquest held yesterday morning into the death of Charles Beaver, aged 23, a sharemilker, of Koputaroa. Dr. F. Ward (medical superintendent of the Palmerston North Hospital) gave evidence that deceased was admitted at 8.15 p.m. on August 6. He was reported to have been run over by a spring dray, and presented the appearance . of having suffered severe abdominal contusions. Next morning his condition was worse, and an operation disclosed a serious condition. He did not rally and died at 8.30 a.m. on August 12. Death was due to peritonitis, supervening on a rupture. iW. S. Speirs, of' Koputaroa, stated that on July 1 he engaged deceased to work for him, and on August fi he was driving a dray on the road. He was walking alongside the vehicle, but left the horse and ran ahead to open a gate. The horse followed and started to trot. Deceased ran back to stop it and went straight in front of the horse’s head. Witness saw him fall to the ground, and one wheel of the dray passed over his stomach. Deceased got into witness’s ear and was driven home. He was put to bed, and medical assistance Avas summoned prior to his removal to the hospital. The Coroner returned a verdict ' as stated, in accordance with the medical testimony. •