THE DEATH OF CONSTABLE M'CORMICK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9360, 8 November 1910, Page 6

THE DEATH OF CONSTABLE M'CORMICK.

THE INQUEST

An enquiry into the circumstances Surrounding the death of , the late Constable McCormick was held yesterday afternoon before Mr A. D. Thomson, coroner. Sub-Inspector O'Doiiovan appeared on behalf of the police, and Mr Oakley for deceased's family. Inspector Wilson was also present. The first witness called was Dr. Greig. He said that on Thursday night at 8.15 p.m. ho was called in to see the deceased, whom he found in an unconscious state. He was suffering from a large contusion on tho left side of his head, and blood was coming from the loft ear. Witness formed the opinion ho was suffering from fracture of the base of the skull, and recommended his removal to tho Hospital. The injury was consistent with what might be caused by a fall. . ~ . To Mr Oakley, _ witness said it was not possible, in his opinion, that deceased had a stroke of paralysis which would cause the accident.; it was, however, possible that he had a stroke before falling, but that was not the cause of death. He did not know how he fell, but the contusion behind the ear was caused by contact with a very hard object. Deceased was unconscious all tne time, and was, apparently, quite sober at that period. He thought of that at the time, and examined him for it, but could not detect. any alcohol. By the Sub-Inspector: A heavy fall on the asphalt road in Main street would account for the injury to his head. Was present at the operation later in tne Hospital, and saw tho blood clot that caused tho brain symptoms. Tho cause of death was fracture of tho base of the skull. The clot resulted from the fall. There would not be any external hemorrhage through the ear had there been only ordinary paralysis. Wm. Edgecumbe, painter, said that he saw deceased fall backwards off the path. Deceased made no effort to save himself, and fell heavily. He appeared to be unconscious as soon as he fell. Witness at one© got a cab and took him to the police station in W illis street. In the meantime the doctor had been sent for. It did not seem to witness that deceased was pushed off the pathway. Mil To Mr Oaklev : It Mas possible ho was pushed off tho path, but witness did not

seo it. . A. J. Carson, storekeeper, Main street, said that he saw deceased on the night of tho accident go into Sanko's restaurant in Main street. He came out again in a couple of minutes, and apparently stumbled across the footpath. As deoeased went across the path ho got out of view of deceased (witness was in his shop at the time), and did not see, but hoard him fall. When witness saw deceased last he was facing the path. Witness could not account for deceased stumbling across the path, and did not hear any disturbance in tlio restaurant. Deceased seemed a little unsteady before going into the supper room. By Mr Oakley: Deceased did not stumble quicTdy across tho footpath, and thero was nothing to lead witness to think he had been pushed. Dr. Martin said ho first saw deceased on November 3rd at the hospital. He was unconscious, suffering from a compound fracture of the base of the skull. He was bleeding freely from the left ear. He had a large contused wound over the whole of the left back side of tho head, lie did not recover consciousness, and on November 4th developed paralysis on' the right side. In order to relievo pressure on the brain witness, assisted by Drs. Putnarii and Peach, trephined. Nothing further could be done, because the brain was completely lacerated. He died on November sth at 4.30 u.vn. without recovering consciousness. The cause of death was a compound fracture of the base of the skull, and hemorrhage of tho brain., the result of the fall. His fall on the road would quite account for the injuries. Traces of liquor were noticeablo upon him, but tiiero was not much. An inebriated man, who meets with a serious accident., vomits freely, deceased did not. The bleeding of the brain was not due to paralysis ; that came on slowly later. T. 11. Whitehead said he saw deceased fall. He'went backwards very quickly, and fell fully eleven feet from the path out in the street.

Ethel Barry, waitress at Sanko's restaurant, said she saw deceased and a companion enter the room. Deceased asked for fish and chips: Mr Sanko said fresh air would be better for him, and helped deceased to the door. Witness saw nothing to make deceased fall. By Mr Oakley: Knew that deceased iiad had liquor from the way he was standing. By the Coroner: Did not see any water on the path or banana or orange skins. Prank Sanko, restaurant keeper, corroborated the evidence of tho previous witness. He added that deceased joked with him when he told him he had no fish. Deceased also got hold of witness in a jocular manner, and it was then witness told him that ho (witness) was busy, and that, he would bo better outside. Deceased went towards the door, and as he could not walk very well witness helped him to within about four feet of the door, deceased going first. When he got. on to the path deceased stood still and then commenced to go backwards. Witness thought he was joking again and went inside. Ho did not so© him fall. By Mr Oakley: Could not smell any liquor on deceased; ho was eating peppermint lollies. Witness could not say it was liquor that caused deceased's unsteadiness or tho subsequent movements on tho path. Veronica McCormick, daughter of the deceased, said that when her father came home earlier in the evening he seemed glum, and not of his usual lively disposition. He was perfectly sober, and was at homo when she went out at 7.20 p.m. J as. Bambery, carrier, said he saw deceased going into his house at 7 p.m. He was perfefctly sober in witness's opinion. Lawrence Jamieson gave evidence as to seeing deceased at 7.30 p.m. He was quite sober. W. E. Keating also gave evidence as to the accident and deceased's actions immediately preceding it. Witness thought deceased overbalanced himself on the edge of the path. He seemed perfectly J sober. • ' j Rv Mr Oakley: The overbalancing was I an accident. A verdict was returned that death was due to fracture of the bone of the skull and the resultant hemorrhage.