CHILD FATALLY BURNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22260, 7 November 1935, Page 10

CHILD FATALLY BURNED

SPARKS FROM ANVIL BRAVE RESCUE EFFORT FAILS The district coroner at Gosford, New South Wales, found recently th&t * spark from a blacksmith's anvil ignited the clothing of Xeola Bird, aged five, who diet! on October 13 from burns. He returned a verdict of accidental death. Ernest John Moase, blacksmith, said children often watched him at work. On the morning of October 12 lie noticed two standing in the doorway or his forge. He would not know them again. There would be sparks flying from his anvil. Later he heard a child screaming outside, with her clothing ablaze. Constable Albert Brown said that how th« child came by her burns appeared to be a mystery, as there was only the statement of her brother, aged seven, that sparks had got on to his sister and that he had put them out. Witness did not think there had been, any carelessness. Richard Wells said that he jumped from the baker's cart- he was driving, and, after vainly endeavouring to pufc out the flames, tore the clothes from the child. His own hands were badly burned in the process. The Coroner: 1 must congratulate you on your brave action. You are entitled to the thanks of the public nwl of the Government.