ST. CLAIR FATALITY

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 58

ST. CLAIR FATALITY

CONCLUSION OF INQUEST?. On Saturday morning the Coroner (Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M.) concluded the inquest touching the death of George Stewart Bell, aged 11 years, who had been killed by a fall from the St. Clan- cliffs on Sunday," August 10. Henry Lawrence Matthews Glover, aged 12 years, said that he and George Bell had been to the Cliffs to see the pigeons three or four times. On the afternoon of the accident witness lowered Bell down to a ledge by his belt, and as soon as the latter stood on the led«-e it gave way, and'he fell down the cliff. It/w deceased who suggested that they should go down on to this ledge to get a better view. Witness worked round a little to the iett, and commenced to climb down after him, but after getting down a little way he must have fallen-but this he could not remember When he came to he found himself alongside his companion, and tried to revive him. Afterwards he tried to climb back and got as far as a little ledge, where he lay all night. In the morning he tried again to get up, but was on the same ledge when the search party lound Constable Schruffer gave particulars of the search during the night and early morning, and the discovery of the boys shortly after 8 o'clock on the Monday morning. Glover was in a very bad way. from exhaustion and they had to administer spirits. Witness examined the scene, and estimated that deceased had fallen a distance of from 120 ft to 130 ft. The Coroner, having reviewed the evidence, said it appeared that boys were, in the habit of going to these cliffs to see the pigeons, which always had a peculiar fascination for boys. Boys of course, would be boys, but he hoped this sad accident would be a lesson to others, and would deter them from going down the cliffs It view of the dangers now revealed parents should impress upon their hoys not to go near the Cliffs. It was a very sad and melancholy affair, and he was sure the whole community was grieved that the unfortunate boy should meet death in such a manner. The evidence showed that he could not have suffered, and that was at least a melancholy consolation for Mr and Mrs 8011, to whom the genuine sympathy of the community was extended. With regard to young Glover, he had been in bed/suffering from shock and bruises until three days ago. Great credit and praise were due to him. Ho had suffered a good deal, and apparently had had a long fall himself but when he came alongside his mate he did what he could to revive him, and at considerable risk to his own life he attempted to scale the cliff for assistance. He (the coroner) wished to express his appreciation of this conduct and his sympathy with the lad in his suffering. Great commendation was duo also to the search parties, who must have been at times in great peril of their lives in negotiating the cliffs. Ho would" find "that the deceased died on the 10th inst. at Oargill Castle Cliffs from shock following concussion of the brain and fracture of the base of the skull ca-ased by accidentally falling down the Cliffs."