AN OLD MAN BURNED TO DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7161, 29 October 1884, Page 4

AN OLD MAN BURNED TO DEATH.

[BY TEI/EGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. J' Duxedes", Tuesday. The following are the particulars of a case' of death by burning in the Bruce county On Sunday, about midday, Mr. William Hodgson, of Canada, was out looking after his sheep. He was standing on the edge of a very steep hill, on which were a quantity of tussock and long dry fern. He lit his pipe, and threw the match down, and Trent a few feet higher up the hill, when on looking round he saw the match had ignited the grass. Baing a man advanced in years be could not climb the hill fast enough to escape the flames. He soon saw that there was only one resource before him, to lie down and roll through the flamea, which plan he immediately adopted. By the time he had rolled through' the burning most of his clothes were burned off his back, and his beard was singed close to the flesh, and he was terribly burned all over the body. His cries brought the assistance of Mr. Mortimer, who had the poor old manconveyed to his house. Drs. Stewart and Reid were immediately sent for, who did their best for the sufferer, but without sue* cess. He lingered in an unconscious state until nine o'clock nest morning, when hs expired.