THE MATAURA FATALITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13861, 26 March 1907, Page 6

THE MATAURA FATALITY

ARTHUR HUMPHRIES'S DEATH. Particulars of tho sad fatality at Mataura on Sunday morning aro furnished by the Gore Standard. Ten Mataura residents were about to leave in a drag to spend the day at Fortrosc. Passing tho suspension bridge tho horses bolted, i When the railway line was erosse'd tho near Kind wheel of the drag collapsed. Tho driver (Mr Charles Humphries) kept on a straight course, tho result being that tho wheels struck tho kerbing of the footpath. Humphries, who was sitting at tho back of tho drag, had looked round tho end of tho vehiclo to see what had happened. As ho did so tho drag struck the kerbing, and Humphries, who was on his feet, was thrown out on tbe road by tho impact. He was seen to fall on his* face, and then riso up and attempt to get on tho asphalt, but fell back and remained motionless. Ho was picked up and carried into an adjoining house, and Dr Hay immediately summoned. Tho unfortunate young fellow, who was conscious, complained of his back, and asked to be taken away._ Ho uttered only a few words, indioativo of great pain, and collapsed almost immediately, dying within six or seven minutes. Tho exact, cause of death was understood to bo dislodgemcnt- of the b-ain, besides which severe internal injuries were sustained. When picked up tho victim's temple was discoloured, and blood issued from his month—evidence iliat some severe wrench occurred internally. The young man was tho second' sou of Mr •[. E. Humphries, of Jilalatira, and wa.s widely esteemed in (lie district. Ho had a particularly bright, and taking manner, and his untimely end cast a gloom throughout tho town, in the vicinity of which ho had lived sinoo infancy.. lie was a well-known figure at district sports gatherings, at which lie competed with success in cycling raccs.