WELLINGTON BURNING FATALITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18857, 9 May 1923, Page 7

WELLINGTON BURNING FATALITY.

THE INQUEST. CHARGE AGAINST HOSPITAL . DOCTOR. AN INQUIRY ORDERED. (P*a United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 8. An inquest concerning the death of Phyllis Porter, a member of “The Peep Show” Company, was held this morning, when the coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., found that' death was due to bums, shock, and other complications resulting from her frock catching fire during the show. Aa a result of the evidence submitted, the coroner announced that he would write to the Hospital Board suggesting that an inquiry should be held immediately as to the alleged delay in admitting and treating the sufferer at the Hospital. Two members of the company who went to the hospital with the patient stated that she was there suffering great pain in cold draughts for nearly half an hour before she was treated by a doctor; this, in spite of the fact that the Hospital was communicated with and told that a serious case was on its way there. On arrival she was seen by a doctor, but was not examined and was sent to the children’s ward, where she was refused admission as she was too old. She was then carried on a stretcher through the hospital grounds (shielded from the rain by one of the members of the company) to another ward, where admission was point-blank refused, and she was finally admitted after delay to a third ward. Witnesses said they were pleased with the treatment thereafter. The doctor responsible was net called to give, evidence, the coroner deciding that this matter would best be cleared up at ai separate inquiry. ' The hospital doctor who did give evidence admitted that there was,. unfortunately, some delay before treatment, after which everything possible was done.