THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT TE AWAMUTU RAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9478, 6 April 1894, Page 5

THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT TE AWAMUTU RAGES.

[BY telkgraph.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Hamilton, Thursday. The accident which took place yesterday at the Waipa Racing Club's Meeting, at Te Awamutu, by which the well-known jockey Henry. Priest lost his life, was a most sad affair. Priest was riding Mr. J. Muir's mare Folly, and had just steered her to victory in the Flying Stakes. When being pulled up about a chain past the post the maro seemed to cross her legs and fell, striking her jockey (Priest) in the face with one of her feet and cutting the side of his face open. It was at once recognised that the unfortunate rider's injuries were most serious, and he died at eight o'clock in the evening, never having regained consciousness. Te Awamutu, Thursday. An inquest was held before the District Coroner (Mr. Gresham), at seven o'clock this morning, on the b.ody of H. Priest, in order to allow of the remains being conveyeed by train to Auckland that day. A jury of six was empannelled, of which Mr. Lyons, of Te Awamutu, was chosen foreman. All the witnesses, including a brother of the deceased, deposed that the occurrence was purely accidental, that no blame was attachable to any person, and that the racecourse was in perfect order. A verdict in accordance with the evidence was returned. ANOTHER ACCIDENT. In the same race as that in which Priest: was injured another accident occurred. Just as the horses were finishing Taihoa was leading by some distance when she ran outside the ropes and collided with a buggy, throwing her rider (Tatt) some distance away, but he luckily escaped injury beyond a few bruises. The horse, however, did not escape so well, and it was found necessary to destroy her.