FATAL MATCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23034, 11 May 1938, Page 18

FATAL MATCH

FOOTBALLER'S DEATH

FRACTURE OF THE NECK RECOMMENDATION BY DOCTOR REMOVING INJURED PLAYERS [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesday The grave danger of removing apparently seriously injured footballers from the field of play was strongly emphasised to-day b.v Dr. G. B. Isdale, of Ngaruawahia, in a recommendation which he added to his evidence at the resunod inquest into the death of Mr. Paid Halbert, aged 22, farm hand, of Taupiri, who was fatally injured in a practice football game at Ngaruawahia on April 2.'}. Deceased suffered a fractured neck, as a result of which he died in the Waikato Hospital three days later. The coroner was Mr. F. W. I'latts.

"In cases such as this, in which injury to the head, neck or back occurs, it is in the patient's interest that a doctor should be obtained rather than to transport him to a doctor," said Dr. isdale. "Some fractures of the spino do not involve damage to the spinal cord until the patient is moved." Deceased's Injury Witness added, however, that in the present case, judging from the X-ray report, the damage appeared to have already been done before the patient was moved.

Dr. Male gave evidence that on April '23 deceased was brought to his surgery by car. In witness' opinion he had suffered a fracture or a fracture dislocation of the fifth or sixth vertibra. His condition was very grave. Witness sent deceased by ambulance to the Waikato Hospital. Charles Hill, farm hand, of Te Akau South, stated that on April 23 he was a member of a Taupiri team playing in a practice match at Ngaruawahia. Deceased was playing in the opposing team. Shortly after half-time deceased commenced to run with the ball. He avoided several tacklers, but was eventually tackled from behind. Game in Friendly Spirit Witness said he tackled deceased from the front as he was falling, and deceased's head struck witness' hip with a severe impact. Deceased did not get up and was carried off the field and taken in a car to the doctor.

Te Keepa Tahana,, butcher, of Ngaruawahia, who refereed the second spell of the match, said the game was played in a very friendly spirit throughout.

A verdict was returned that the deceased died from injuries accidentally received. "The unfortunate death of this fine young man was purely accidental," said Mr. Platts. '*No one was in anyway to blame."