PURELY ACCIDENTAL.

NZ Truth, Issue 985, 11 October 1924, Page 10

PURELY ACCIDENTAL.

Tragic Death of McCallum

After an exhaustive Coronial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ronald McCallum, who died as the result of injuries received while talcing- part m the recent tournament at Palmerston South, a verdict was returned to the effect that "deceased died at Palmerston on September 19 from a fracture of the. base of the skull, caused by accidentally falling during' a boxing bout." Unfortunately, some irresponsible individuals had told deceased's father, who was not^ at the tournament, that the fatal blow had been delivered when .deceased was not on his feet. This unjustified assertion not only tended to increase the burden of grief placed on deceased's relatives, but was a gj-ave injustice to young O'Connell, the other contestant of. the bout. However, after hearing the evidence of the officials, Mr. McCallum, through his solicitor, stated that he was satisfied that his son had had a fair deal and he did not wish to blame anyone.