A RACECOURSE FATALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12723, 28 November 1904, Page 5

A RACECOURSE FATALITY.

JOCKEY'S SKULL FRACTURED AT *' TAKAPUNA. THROWN IN A HURDLE RACE. Tse first day's racing in connection ■with th« Takapuna Jockey Club's? Spring Meet* inf' was chawing to a close on Saturday afternoon, and patrons of the North Shore course were congratulating/ themselves on hating spent a. most enjoyable outing, when a serious accident, terminating in the death of a jockey, occurred, and cast a gloom over all present. It. was in the Handicap Hurdle Race that the accident happened, and the riJxr to lose his life w.&6 Alfred Butler, who had the mount on Mr. S. Stevens' horse Loch Lomond. The horses had entered the straight on the first round, and Loch Lomond rose Jat the fence, but struck .the top mil of the hurdle with such force that Butler was shot violently out of the saddle, and. going over the horse's head like one diving from a springboard into the water, landed heavily on the ground. The horse galloped over the prostrate jockey, and it is believed struck him on the head with one of its hoofs, as when poor Butler was brought in on a stretcher, it was found that bis ekull had been fractured at the base. SOr. Sharman. who was iu attendance, did all that was possible for the unfortunate jockey, who was then unconscious, but Butler was beyond medical aid, arid etpired before many minutes had elapsed without regaining consciousness. Deceased, who was a single man about J5 or 27 years of age, had for the past sik years been iu the employ of the Messrs Duder Bros., and for some lime had betn acting as trainer of the racehorses owned by the North Shore sportsmen. He was a steady young fellow, highly thought of by his employers, who feel his loss keenly, and popular with jockeys, trainers, and others who had made his acquaintance. Butler came from Gisborne, 'where his mother and other relatives at present reside. Much sympathy will he extended to those jrho are left to mourn their loss. An inquest will be held by Mr. Gresham (coroner), at Mr. Duder's residence this morning, at half-past ten. . Earlier in the day, while the Maiden Hurdle Race was being rim, the wellknown Auckland cross-country rider, F. Burn?:, was thrown and sustained a nasty concussion of the brain, which left him in a dazed and semi-conscious state until well on towards the close of the meeting. Burns was riding a horse named Hakaria, which came to grief at a hurdle just below the grandstand, throwing its rider heavily. Though still feeling queer in the head, Burns was,' fortunately, able to leave the course without assistance after the meeting concluded. •'