Death Follows Fall From Rata Vine

Northern Advocate, 13 May 1938, Page 7

Death Follows Fall From Rata Vine

Failing to rally after her admission to the Whangarei Public Hospital, suffering from' concussion and a broken foTeatm, on Wednesday, Gwyneth Margaret Price, 12-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs F. C. Price, of Kcrikeri Road, died last evening. Evidence was given at the inquest, opened this morning before Mr H. C. Hemphill, district coroner, by Gwen Ryecroft. aged 13, who said that she 'had been playing in the . Coronation Reserve with Gwyneth Price.

\ The latter had been swinging from a rata vine, which was slippery owing to frequent use by children as a swing. Gwyneth Price had fallen and slipped down a bank below the vine. Deceased had called out. saying she could not see, and a man had come on the scene and carried deceased home. Her head was bleeding slightly at the time. Doctor’s Evidence. William Henry Moorcroft. labourer, said he was working in the Vicinity when he heard children calling out. He thought they were playing, but then heard one of them cry ouh “Come ahd help me.” He had carried deceased to her\ parents’ home, and while ho was doing this she had complained of pains in the head. Dr. J. W. Hall, medical superintendent at the Whangarei Hospital, in evidence, said the girl had been admitted at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, suffering from concussion and a fractured forearm. An X-ray examination had not revealed , any fracture of the skull. Deceased, had developed symptoms of swelling of the brain following the injury received in falling, and had died at 6.30 p.m. yestex-day.

A verdict of accidental death from injuries received following a fall while playing in Coronation Reserve was entered.