DEATH OF FARMER

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 7, Issue 59, 26 November 1937, Page 4

DEATH OF FARMER

Inquest Held Today

NOT DUE TO KICK FROM

HORSE

An inquest into the death of John Harvey, 54, a farmer, of Ohoka, who was found dead at his farm on Wednesday, was held at ltangiora this afternoon before the Coroner, Mr E. C.

Levvey. Miss Sarah Harvey gave evidence that her brother had been ploughing with a three-horse team about half a mile from the house. At about 1 p.m., after lunch, he left in the direction of the paddock with the team. On taking tea to him about 3.45 p.m., she found him lying face downward about 6ft. on the house side of the gate, which was closed. He had a wound on the right temple and appeared to be dead. The three horses were standing on the other side of the gate with their harness on and coupled together. Her brother had been in good health. Evidence of identification was given by David Harvey, a twin brother. He returned from Christchurch at 5.30 p.m., and after being informed of the accident went to the scene and found the body still lying on the ground. His brother was in the habit of allowing the horses to go through the gate, and closing it after them. The horses usually stopped inside the gate. In the opinion of witness the gate had touched the heels of one of the horses, with the result that it had kicked his brother in the right temple. Dr L. M. King, of Rangiora, gave evidence that there was a small bruised area on the right temple region of deceased. There were no other marks of injury. Deceased’s heart was not normal. Deceased had previously visited visited him for heart trouble. In his opinion death was due to myocardial degeneration. The wound in itself was not sufficient to cause death. Sergeant McEnteo said that in his opinion the mark on deceased’s face came from a fall on some hard object. A verdict of death from myocardial degeneration was returned by the Coroner.