HOTEL FIRE FATALITY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 April 1930, Page 2

HOTEL FIRE FATALITY

INQUEST ON VICTIM An inquest concerning tlic doalh of Joliii Galvin, wlio died us the result of the liolgrovo hotel Cue yesterday morning, opened to-day before Mr K. J. tSeantlebury, coroner. Constable Lines conducted the inquiry.

Dr. Hudson, mcdieal siiperiiitcndcut of the Kelson L'ublic Hospital, deposed that lie had examined the deceased on adinittahce to the institution and found Ik: was suffering from a fractured spine unci burns of Hie arms and trunk. He was iilH'onst'ious. He also had a small scalp wound on the top of his head, and was also suffering severely from shock, lie died at 2 p.m. without regaining consciousness. The cause of death was shock duo to burns. The injury to the spine would have been caused by a fall on the head or shoulders.

William Bernard Mulicr, a labourer, said he had recently been working on I lie Hope Saddle in company with deceased, lie hud known him for the past two years-. They came through to lielgiwt! together on the afternoon of the 7th of April, and booked up at l!elgrovc Hotel. Galvin was given a single room mi the second floor, and witness and [mother mate occupied a double room, in which were two single beds. They all retired to bed a little after eleven p.m. During the evening they all bad a few drinks, but. were all sober From bis own knowledge be was

sure thai- deceased was sober. He did not know if deceased undressed to .get into bed, as be did not enter bis room. Shortly after 2 a.m. be was aroused by the cry of "fire," which he thought came from Mrs McDonald, the. wife of the licensee, who was also sleeping upstairs. When he awoke he found that the loom was in flames, and he rushed out into the passage. He found the front staircase was in (lames and got down the back stairs. .As far as he knew no one looked into 'deceased's room to see if he was out. On coming

.•'.round to the side of the hotel, In; noticed that deceased was standing at his window. The window was shut. Witness did not f think that deceased fried in o;icii the window. Several of them called out, to him to "jump. Jack.'' Deceased then went back into his room, and after a few seconds they saw him dive through the window, breaking the glass as he came through, falling on the bad: of his head. Some of them tried to catch him but. were too late. He could not account for deceased not opening bis window. He did not know it' lie tried to open it and could not. The deceased had •given witness a letter to post last Monday week to bis mother, who resided in Wakeman street, Pahiatua. Galvin was 57 years of age and single. The inquest was adjourned sine die.