DEATH BY ASPHYXIA

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3287, 5 March 1926, Page 10

DEATH BY ASPHYXIA

CAUSED THROUGH INHALING COAL GAS. An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Anders Christian Jensen, of 18 Wellsbourne Street, was conducted before Mr A. J. Graham, coroner, yesterday. Dr. G. A. Forrest deposed to having been called to deceased’s home Where he found him sitting in a chair dead with a gas tube under his arm. Appearances led him to believe that death was caused by asphyxia from gas poisoning. Arthur Wm. Gunning, draughtsman, residing at Wellsbourne Street with deceased, stated that he last saw Jensen alive between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. -on the day of his death, when he was in quite good spirits. ’Deceased had never mentioned taking his life during the eight months witness lived with him. On returning home about 5.40 witness could not get into the house because it was locked up. He waited for a few minutes until Mrs Jensen came home, when it was found the key of the back door was missing from the place where it was usually kept, and witness was obliged to gain an entrance by the kitchen window. There was a strong smell of gas inside the room and deceased was found dead sitting in a chair by the fireplace with a tablecloth over his head and a gas tube still turned on. Occasionally he had complained of being unable to get good sleep, but otherwise deceased seemed in good health. A verdict .of suicide by the inhaling of coal gas was returned.