A BOXER'S DEATH

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11535, 28 August 1930, Page 2

A BOXER'S DEATH

EVIDENCE OF WITNESSES

Electric Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON N., This Day. An inquest was held to-day before M.r A. J. Graham, coroner, concerning the death of Peter Rush, of Blenheim, who collapsed during the boxing tournament dn Friday evening and died in hospital at mid-day on Saturday. .L r - Hard, medical superintendent at, the Palmerston North hospital, stated that on admission deceased showed no sign of externa] injury, but investigation of the nervous system disclosed extreme pressure on the brain. An operation was performed to relieve the pressure on the brain, which was very congested. Deceased improved slightly, hut gradually got worse aud passed away. The post-mortem revealed haemorrhage on the side of the brain. There was no sign of a fracture of the skull, and the heart was healthy. The cause of death was coma, following haemorrhage on the side of the brain.

Tn reply to the Coroner, witness thought that- the linemorrliage was due to the rupture of a vein of one of the vessels covering the brain. It could be caused by a blow, which need, iiot be a heavy one. Senior-Sergeant Wliitehouse stated in eighty contests at the tournament only about eight boxers were knocked out. This heavy-weight’“bout was about the tamest of the lot. In reply to a question, Dr. Ward stated that haemorrhage of that nature; had occurred ill children after a seizing or coughing condition not necessarily caused by a blow. Violent effort could produce the same effect as a blow.

Joseph Herbert Rush, uncle of deceased, stated he was present at the boxing tournament and did not see undue roughness. Senior-Sergeant Wliitehouse said that all regulations of the Act were complied with at the tournament. He witnessed Rush’s bout. No blows reached the head of either contests ant. No severe blows were struck at all.

Giving his verdict. the Coroner said the cause of death was the condition following upon haemorrhage of the right side of the brain. “I must add,” said the Coroner,

‘it was as the result of an injury received during a boxing contest Ihe medical evidence shows that deceased was in every way perfectly healthy and was in that condition on admission to the hospital, except for haemorrhage. It seems that his death could either have resulted from an external blow or from some violent exercise. The doctor states the cause of death was contributed to hv a form of exercise in which he was engaged at the time—a boxing bout. Doubtless, the injury was received during the bout, but whether from a blow or some violent effort hv deceased himself it is extremely difficult to say. 7 am satisfied the bout was not severe. Apparently no head blows were struck. Death was due to misadventure.”

A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.” “Tt must he satisfactory tci the nnbho.” concluded the Coroner ‘‘to have the assurance of the police that every carp is taken in these eentests to anything of a viole’’+ nature.”

The correct name of the boxer was Percy John Rush.