THE WAIKINO FATALITY.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXI, Issue 2721, 21 November 1910, Page 3

THE WAIKINO FATALITY.

CORONER'S INQUEST

The inquest touching the death of George Bolton, aged 18, who was killed by falling off a dray on Friday morning near Waikino, was held at the Miners' Union Hall, Waikino, Saturday afternoon before the coroner (Mr W. M. Wallnutt) without a jury. Constable Flavell appeared for the police. Henry Bolton, father of the deceased, gave evidence as to identification. Dr Craig said that he found deceased's neck broken. Death must have been instantaneous. A. Gordon,- of the firm of Gordon Bros., of Waitekauri, said that deceased had been in their employ about three years, and was a competent and trustworthy driver. At the time of the accident deceased was engaged carting metal from a quarry. Raymond Grace, who was working in the quarry, said that he saw deceased leaving the quarry with a full load of metal in the dray—about two tons' The road down from the quarry was steep, and when going down the hill the off-wheel got into the water-table. Dieceased pulled the shafter more into the centre of the road. The dray then skidded towards the bank, causing deceased to fall on to the road. The wheel of the dray went over his body and across the back of his neck. James Fitzsimmons, foreman for the Ohinemuri County Council, also gave evidence. The coroner returned the following verdict:—■" That the deceased George Bolton met his death at Waikino on the

18th day of November, 1910, by accidently falling off a dray in 11-of-metal, the wheel passing over his neck causing dislocating."