Native Child’s Death Not Due To Injuries

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1942, Page 2

Native Child’s Death Not Due To Injuries

An inciuest into the death of William Paul, a native boy, aged three years, who died at the Whangarei Hospital on February 10, 24 hours after he had been admitted as a result of a bicycle accident, was concluded before the district corcnei (Mr G. H. Morrish, J.P.) this morning. Senior-Sergeant A. Henderson represented the police.

Death was found to be due to broncho-pneumonia in tubercular infected lungs, brought on by the shock of the accident.

Gordon M. Taylcr, of 14, Otaika Road, stated that lie had attended the pictures on the Tuesday evening, and was starting his car after the programme had concluded when he saw a child lying on the road near the intersection of Bank and Wolfe Streets. He saw a man pick the child up, near a bicycle which was on the read. The child was crying loudly, and there was a bandage on the lower right leg. He took the man and the child to the hospital. Mr Taylor said he did not see any car with glaring headlights, but he saw a small model car which went down Bank Street.

Dr H. F. Buckley said he had carried out a post-mortem examination of the deceased. The child had abrasions to the right ankle, but there was no injury to the head or brain. Both Lungs Infected

An examination of the lungs disclosed that the child was suffering from tuberculosis in both lungs. Death, in his opinion was due to broncho-pneu-monia in previously tubercular infected lungs, brought on by shock following an accident. The condition of the lungs prior to the accident would accelerate and aggravate the bronchopneumonia. Dr K. McNamara stated he saw and examined the child half an hour after the accident. The lower right leg, ankle and foot were injured, but there was no external evidence of any injury to the head or chest. The child died at 10.5 p.m. the following nignt. The child's mother was a patient at the hospital, suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. He agreed with Dr Buckley as to the cause of death of the child. The coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.