SHOT IN HEAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23204, 31 May 1937, Page 10

SHOT IN HEAD

BOY FATALLY WOUNDED RIFLE FIRED BY COMPANION A DISTRESSING FATALITY (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, May 30 Shot in the head while target shooting near the Godley Head lighthouse this afternoon, Selwyn Walker aged 15. suffered serious injuries to his skull, from which he died in hospital this evening. With three other boys Walker had been shooting at a tin on the beach below the cliffs at Godley Head. After a time he went forward to examine the tin.

One of the'other boys attempted to fire a shot out to sea, but the rifle did not discharge, and the boy concluded that it was not loaded With the trigger still pressed, he swung round, at the same time raising the hammer. The rifle at once fired and the bullet entered Walker's forehead near the left temple.

With the assistance of a man, the boys carried their companion up to the lighthouse, whence a telephone message was sent for the ambulance. Walker was taken to the hospital, where he died at 8.20 p.m.