ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21538, 9 January 1932, Page 13

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

FALL FROM A BICYCLE TAINUI RESIDENT’S DEATH. A man named Frank Douglas, who resided at 49 Botha street, Tainui, was found lying unconscious on the footpath in Anderson’s Bay road, opposite Oxford street, about 7.30 last evening. He was admitted to the Hospital shortly before 8 p.m., but died a few minutes later. Particulars concerning his death are meagre, as the only witness of the fatality was an unknown woman, who is believed to be a visitor to Dunedin or a stranger to the Anderson’s Bay district. Inquiries made by the police show that Douglas was riding a bicycle along what is known as the cycle track on the Anderson’s Bay road, and that he either had a seizure or collided with a telegraph post. An examination was made of the body, and the doctors reported' that there were practically no external injuries, which would indicate that Douglas did not meet his death through a collision or any traffic interference. The police were unable to locate the woman who witnessed the _ fatality, and they would be greatly assisted in their task of ascertaining the cause of Douglas’s death if she would communicate with police headquarters. Douglas was 31 years of age and married. He was employed as a fitter at the Hillside railway workshops. A brother (Mr A. G. Douglas) resides at 33 Gilfillan street, Tainui, and his mother resides in Victoria road, St. Hilda.

DEATH IN A BATH INQUEST ADJOURNED. An inquest on the body of Russell Albert Howes, who died at his residence at 432 George street on Thursday night, was opened yesterday before Mr H. W. Bundle. S.M., sitting as coroner. Sergeant Boulton represented the police. William George Howes, merchant, said that the deceased was his son. The deceased was 19 years of age, and was employed by witness as a wireless expert. He enjoyed good health except that a few years ago he suffered from rheumatic fever and, as a result, his, heart was affected. On Thursday evening, about 8.55, he went to the bathroom to have a bath. Witness was in the kitchen, and he heard a cry from the bathroom upstairs and a sort of crash. On going to the bathroom he found the deceased in the bath, which was half full of water. The deceased’s head was well clear of the water, but he was gurgling and gasping, and appeared to have fainted. Dr Fulton was summoned, and the deceased was put to bed. When the doctor arrived artificial respiration was attempted for some time, but without avail. When witness went into the bathroom there was a chair upset on the floor. The deceased had apparently been shaving in the bath. He was using a portable light, which he must have touched with his wet hand. The light was defective. The inquest was adjourned till Monday morning.

KILLED WHILE AT PLAY BOY’S FATAL FALL FROM SCOOTER. (Per United Press Association.! ■WELLINGTON, January 8. Falling from a scooter as he was riding down Wadestown Hill on Monday morning, Peter Grant Smith, aged nine years, received injuries which resulted in his death a few hours later. It was at the inquest that the boy left home with a playmate to fide on scooters down Wadestown road. The deceased, who was on the footpath, was ahead of the other boy when he skidded or swerved at a corner and fell on the road. He got up, and, although he was crying a little, he was able to walk home. He told his mother what happened, and appeared to be quite normal, but later he showed signs of not being well, and Dr Young was sent for. .The doctor arlived about noon, and the boy, who was then unconscious, was examined and put to bed. The doctor called again at 2 o’clock, as it was then apparent that there was something seriously wrong. A few minutes after the doctor arrived the boy died. In his evidence Dr Young said that in his opinion death was due to hemorrhage within the ekull.

The coroner returned a finding that the deceased died as the result of injuries received when he accidentally fell from a scooter.