TEACHER'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21717, 5 February 1934, Page 8

TEACHER'S DEATH

OAMAKU FATALITY ; ——• / INVESTIGATIONS ENDED S ACCIDENT THEORY ACCEPTED FALL OVER A BANK Private advice has been received in|| Auckland that a verdict of accidental I death was_rcturncd at an inquest held last week into the death of Miss Jessie M. Fendall, a 'at the Otekaieke ,i' : Special School, who was found in an unconscious state at the foot of the lift, bank of a dry creek-bed near the school on September 17. There were two severe wounds in her forehead. She was removed to the Oamaru Hospital, where she died on September 20, without haying regained consciousness. Relatives in Auckland were not satisfied that her injuries were caused by a fall from the bank, and were instnii mental in having extensive invests gations made by the police. The body was exhumed in the course of the inquiries made. In support of the susr picion that Miss Fendall's injuries werg not accidental it was pointed out that apart from the two severe head wounds, the body bore no bruises or scratches to indicate that she had. fallen. Her wristlet watch was still going when the injured girl was found, the glass being unbroken. Her coat, book and handkerchief were placed on a near by ledge in an orderly manner, and her shoes had been removed. It was thought that Miss Fendall might have been the victim of an assault while she was resting or reading. At the inquest, however, evidence showed that the girl had been subject to fainting turna, 'and Dr. R. S. J. Fitzgerald expressed the opinion that on ths day she was found injured, she had gone to the particular spot for a rest or shelter, had been attacked by a fainting turn, and had fallen down the bank, receiving head injuries which partly exposed the brain, and which were the cause of her death. The verdict stated that deceased had in all probability fallen over the bank and received the injuries from which she died. "I||

Miss Fendall was a daughter of Mr, and Mrs. H. T. Fendall, of 103 Jervoig Road, Ponsonby. She was born in Timaru and came to Auckland as a, girl, being educated at the Auckland Girls' Grammar School. She was associated with the Campbell Kindergarten and the Myers Kindergarten for some years, and went to the Otekaieka Special School about seven years ago.