DEATH FROM SCALDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 14

DEATH FROM SCALDS

FALL INTO BUCKET

CHILD WALKING BACKWARDS EVIDENCE OF UNUSUAL HABIT Evidence concerning the fatal habit of a young child in frequently desiring to walk backAvards was given at an inquest yesterday into tho death of William Gordon Alfred Rule, aged one year and 11 months, whoso parents live at 19 Columbia Road, Sandringhain. The child received severe scalds through walking backwards into a bucket of boiling water on February .'}, and his death occurred in the Auckland Hospital two days later. The child's father, Stanley Alfred Itulo, said that at 1.30 p.m. on February 3 his wifo put a saucepan of boiling water into a bucket on tho floor. She was drawing cold water to add to tho bucket, when hor littlo son heard tho tap running and came in, with his two sisters, for a drink. She gave him and one of tho littlo girls a drink and was handing a cup of water to tho other littlo girl, when the boy walked backwards and tripped, sitting into the bucket. Ho was immediately lifted out and a doctor was sent for.

The child's mother gaVe corroborative evidence, and added that the child was physically well, but about six months ago had giddy turns. The lato Dr. Gunn then examined him and Btated he heard a distinct "murmur" in the region of the heart. He always had tho habit of walking backwards. A verdict of accidental death from scalding was returned by Mr. W. 11. McKean, S.M., coroner.