FLAXCUTTER’S DEATH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 113, 9 April 1930, Page 9

FLAXCUTTER’S DEATH.

WOUND ACCIDENTALLY INFLICTED.'' ALL POSSIBLE ATTENTION GIVEN. A verdict that deceased met with his death as the result of shock and haemorrhage, due to an accidentally self-inflicted wound, was returned this morning by the Coroner, Mr A. J. Graham, at the inquest into the death of Albert A’Court, who received the injury while cutting flax for Whitanui, Ltd. The Coroner added that everything possible appeared to have been done and that decaesed had evei'y attention. The accident occurred in a swamp between Foxton and Shannon on March 31. Deceased received a severe cut on the back of the neck and died next morning. He was a single man, aged 26. Sergeant Hill conducted proceedings on behalf of the police. Mr Grant appeared for Whitanui, Ltd., and Mr Ongley.for deceased’s relatives. MEDICAL EVIDENCE. Dr Ward stated in evidence that deceased had been admitted to the Public Hospital, at about 7.20 p.m. on March 31, suffering from a severe cut on the back of the neck. He was conscious and his condition was fairly satisfactory. About 20 minutes afterwards he collapsed. An injection was made and deceased was then taken to the operating theatre where it was found that he had a clean cut wound on the back of the neck, slightly to the x-ight side. All the main vessels were severed. An operation was performed under an anaesthetic, the bleeding vessels tied up and tho wound stitched together. Another injection was given on returning to the ward, but deceased did not rally, dying at 2.55 a.m. on April 1. Death was due to shock associated with the effects of haemorrhage. In reply to Seregant Hill, witness stated that the wound could have been aucidentaly self-inflected. In reply to the Coroner, witness said that the fatal blow must have been delivered with some force as the wound was about three inches deep. The wound might quite easily have been inflicted with the slasher or hook produced.

In reply to Mr Grant, witness stated that when deceased was admitted to hospital some of the vessels had been tied and packed with cotton wool to counteract haemorrhage. Deceased appeared to have had all possible attention. The Coroner enquired whether deceased would have lived if an operation had been performed on the spot.—He might have. , The Coroner: Was the treatment satisfactory under the circumstances?— Yes. Maurice Child A’Court, brother of deceased, gave formal evidence of identification. CALL HEARD. Johnston Rountree, flax-cutter, of Foxton, stated that he had been cutting flax on March 31 next to deceased. About 3 p.m. ho heard Mr A’Court call out. He did not h6ar what deceased said so he replied: “What’s the matter?” Deceased replied, “I’ve cut myself?” Witness, who was about eight yards away, ran to ''him. Ho was tho first person to reach deceased and was the nearest to him, with the possible exception of George Rankin, who was also about eight yards away. It would not be possible under the conditions under which they were working for a flax-cutter to accidentally injure another. It would have been impossible for anyone to make an assault on deceased without witness’s knowledge. The Coroner: There is no suggestion of that, is there? Seregant Hill: No. Witness continued that deceaesd had said: “Im done.” Witness had called out to the othor men for bandages when he saw tho cut and had obtained one. He had given Mr A’Coart all possible attention and lie was taken to tho mill where he received medical attention.

George Rankin, flax-cutter, of Foxton, stated that the first lie knew of the accident was a- call from the witness Rountree. He snw the cut on deceased’s neck and he ran to get bandages from his coat. He heard no explanation of the accident from deceased. He had assisted in the application of first nid. There was some blackberry in among the flax A piece of blackberry might have obstructed the slasher when deceased was knocking something from behind him. The slasher was badly balanced. To the Coroner: The cutters supplied their own hooks. Continuing witness stated that in his twenty-six years of experience he had known of no nccident exactly similar, but had known a man to cut his ear. The wound could have been accidentally self-inflicted. He was certain that the hook which had been the cause of death was tho one used by deceased. To Mr Ongley: It was recognised that if a hook was lifted above ,the head an obstruction would deflect it. A man nlways stooped when cutting flax and .a piece of blackberry might have been abovo deceased’s head—just a small piece, enough to annoy him. To the Coroner: Deceased had been, very well liked. To Mr Grant: Straggling pieces of blackberry were to be found throughout tfie flax. They would be up to four feet high. It was only a matter of seconds after he was called that the bandages were put on. The Coroner returned the verdict as stated above.