WOMAN’S SUDDEN DEATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 4

WOMAN’S SUDDEN DEATH

SEQUEL TO ’ ACCIDENT OPENING OF INQUEST Injuries received when she was knocked down by a tramcar in George street resulted in the admission to the Dunedin Hospital last Tuesday of Mrs Rebecca Smith, a widow, aged 83, of 5 Clarendon street. She was making a good recovery, but, while she was out of bed for a short time on Sunday afternoon preparatory to her discharge yesterday, she collapsed and died in a few minutes. An-Inquest was opened yesterday before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. (coroner). Evidence of identification was given by a son, Richard Joseph Smith,' of 38 High street, Musselburgh. Witness said he saw his mother in the Dunedin Hospital on Saturday, when she appeared to have recovered completely from the effects of being knocked down by a tramcar on May 25. She told him that she had stepped back on to the tram line to avoid a motor car which was travelling at an excessive speed. She was struck by the running board of the tram, but she was. emphatic in telling witness that there was absolutely no blame attributable to the tram motorman. Her eyesight and hearing exceptionally good for a woman of her age. Dr T. W. Harrison, a house surgeon, said that Mrs Smith was suffering from mild concussion, shook and minor abrasions. She made satisfactory progress and was to have been discharged yesterday. She was out of bed for a short tiriie on Sunday, but collapsed, and died in a few minutes. The cause of death was, in his opinion, coronary thrombosis. None of her injuries was in itself sufficient to cause death. The deceased was in good bodily health for a woman of her age, but any shock accompanied by confinement to bed would be liable to cause heart trouble. The inquest was adjourned sine die. ’’