ACCIDENTAL DEATH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17440, 11 December 1930, Page 4

ACCIDENTAL DEATH

JOCKEY'S FATAL FALL THE CORONER'S VERDICT

(I'it Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night, A verdict of "accidental death" was returned by Mr. P. K. Hunt, S.M.. coroner, ill Hie adjourned inquest concerning the deuth (if Benjamin Kinsman Deeley, 48. the well-known jockey, on December 4.

William Murdoch Murray, chemist. said that at about 4.30 p.m. on December 3. he was informed that a man was Ivihg on a stairway landing in St. Kevins' Arcade. 'Karangahape road. On going there witness recognised the deceased, who had a shop in the arcade. As he was unconscious witness carried him into his shop. When he'regained consciousness, however, ho refused lo lie nuiet and later left the shop to go to his home.

Continuing; witness said, he saw deceased walking unsteadily along the footpath. In witness's opinion, deceased fell down about eight steps before he hit the landiiv. At each step there were marks of blood which came from the 'vick of deceased's hands, showing thai he fell backwards.

Ruby Paterson, deceased's housekeeper, said deceased appeared all right when he came home at about 5.30. although he was. quieter than usual. Early on the following morning, witness was awakened bv the sound of a. hump, and on making investigations found that deceased had fallen out of bed. He was Ivin " unconscious on (he floor, and doctors who were summoned ordered his removal to hosnital. where he died. Dr. Main said a post-mortem examina. Hon disclosed an extensive fracture of 'he skull with a large internal haemorrhage. This, with accompanying br«in damage, was the cause of death. Tu returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, the coroner said he was satisfied that death was accidental.