DANGER'S DEATH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16121, 9 May 1923, Page 7

DANGER'S DEATH.

A "PEEP SHOW" TRAGEDY

ALLEGED HOSPITAL DELAY

SERIOUS QUESTIONS ASKED

(Special to ton Herald.)

WELLINGTON, this day

If was shown at tho inquest on Miss Phyllis Porter, who died as tho result of burns received during the "performance of "Peep Show" at the Opera House, thai the deceased by her consideration undoubtedly saved other members of the ballet from serious injury. There was also a serious question raised regarding the delay which witnesses declared was experienced in securing treatment for Ihe sufferer at the Wellington hospital. On the latter point the coroner (Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.) stated that lie would immediately write to the secretary of the Wellington Hospital Board, suggesting that the Board should forthwith hold an enquiry into the charges that there was undue delay in admitting the patient to the hospital and in according her treatment. Evidence was given by Miss A. A. Barber, wardrobe mistress of the ''Peep Show" Company, ami John Farrell, manager of the company, both of whom went to the, hospital with the injured girl. In the course of evidence called at the inquest, L. M. Davis, chief mechanician with the company, stated: "She sacrificed herself to save the other girls. There is no doubt about that. Had she run to the other girls she would have set them all afire, but she ran away from, them and outside. She was wonderfully calm." The iirst indications at the inquest that there were likely to be questions raised was given when the Coroner, at the eonelusiou of the evidence of Dr. Colin C. M. Laurin, asked was there iuiv delay?

The doctor replied: "Unfortunately there was some." The doctor said that lie was not (he one who received the patient or gave her initial treatment.

Before oilier evidence was called, Mr. Farrell stated that it. had been intended to say nothing about the delay, as it was hoped to keep from relatives in Sydney any idea that everything had not: been done for the deceased. The members id' the company had, however, insisted that the facts should lie enquired into. His Worship said that this would lie fully enquired into, and if other people were implicated they would be given a chance to explain.

Miss Barber said they were met at the hospital door by a. doctor, who sent them to the children's ward, where the girl was taken from the car, but on being told that the girl was 19 years of age, the nurse sent. them back to the main building, to which they carried the girl on a stretcher. She was then taken to Nc>. l! ward. They said they had no bed there, and could not admit her. They were told to take her to Xo. 1 ward. There was little distance between these wards, but there was a very cold (iraught in the passage in which she was kept, waiting, and witness tried to protect, her from this. His Worship: And in the meantime she received no attention at all. She should have, been taken in to the, main building and treated immediately.

Mr. Farrell: The doctor who met us did not even enquire whether she was man, woman, or child. Witness said that the, doctor wanted to feel the deceased's pulse, but this could not be done, as the girl was wrapped up, and was still out in the cold in the car. "It seemed an age to me before the girl finally got attention at the hospital, but, after that she wns most carefully treated, and we had no complaints, as the care, was wonderful. The girl should have received medical attention as soon as she arrived."

His Worship: I think so, too. The hospital authorities will have to be asked to explain this. The witness (Miss Barber) said that on the way from the children's ward it was raining, and she had tried (o protect the, girl's burnt face by placing her hands above it.

John Ffirrell gave impressions snnilnr to those of Miss Barber. The witness said that before they left the theatre he had the hospital telephoned to, saying there was a very serious ease on its way, It could be seen on arrival that they wore expected by the porters. A porter got a stretcher, and a man they understood was a doctor came out. lie then said, “Take her to the children’s ward. V The nurse, on hearing her age, rang the doctor. She refused to allow wjtness to speak to the doctor, and sajd to take her to No. At ■S'a, 2 (hey absolutely declified to •take her in. They want' |p N.o. I wayd, where they were also pefused admission, lint were finally admitted. ?p the meantime the girl was in all sorts of draughts, and witness, getting »!e,s per a ty, asked for something to be done, The girl said, “Yes, ash them, to put me to sleep, ep that I can get out of this pain,” Though it was hard to calculate the time in a ppse like this, he thought it was from £*o minutes to half an hour before the doctor arrived. After the doctor saw the patient, witness told him what he thought of him, and learned that he was flic doctor who first received jjfppj. Witness fold the doctor that if limy pap tlipir easiness as t|ie hospital was run n wopl.i be a. failure. His Worship: f will wf:fe a letter to-day to the secretary .? Board, /ailing him what 1 have Infard here, ami flg hip* »A> have an enquiry before you peopih’ fen ye town, g is not t'/)f m,e t.b |Wiy f■** y .comment unless t have heard something from |ie oilier side. My letter twd the fhis, matter will get. will probity KSU.It in something being done, { Senior-Sergeant O’Horn. £vli« represented the police, said fm charges ! were entirely new to him.f nd tin atj )endance of the doctor erteerned had 1 been considered mfessary. He Jtmd not been called on it give evi-