A JOCKEY'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14336, 5 April 1910, Page 6

A JOCKEY'S DEATH.

THE CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Auckland Hospital yesterday morning by Mr. T. Gresham (Coroner) on. the body of Ernest Price, who died last Friday night as a result of injuries received at the* Ellerslio races on March 26.

Mark Ryan, who rode Ngapuka on the day of the accident,'.stated[that he knew Price well, and believed his age to be about 17 years. Sixteen horses went off to a good start in the Easter Handicap, the course boing in perfect order. When nearing the home turn the field was bunched. At this point witness was riding close behind First Wairiki (the horse ridden by Price), when he saw one of the horses, which he thought to be Salute, go down. Witness endeavoured to pull out, and then saw Advocate go down over the horse that first fell. Witness was not aware at the time whether Salute or First, Wairiki fell first. He was certain that- there was no foul riding, and believed . the occurrence was purely accidental. .

George Cutts, track steward at the Ellerslie course, said that First Wairiki was the first to fall. He believed the fall "was due to First Wairiki striking the heels of the horse in front. This was often a cause of horses falling.

Dr. Eade, house'surgeon. at t the Auckland Hospital, stated that death was due to fracture of the base of the skull with laceration of the brain, the injuries being such as would result.from a heavy fall. .'. A verdict/ of accidental death was returned by the jury, the cause of death being that disclosed by the medical evidence.