ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES

Southland Times, Issue 20526, 30 June 1928, Page 7

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES

COAL-MINER’S DEATH. (Per United Press Association.) Westport, June 29. An inquest was held to-day at Denniston by Mr E. R. Fox, Coroner, touching the death of Robert Crawford, a shiftman in the employ of the Westport Coal Company in the Coalbrookdale mine. The evidence went to show that deceased on Thursday at 10.30 a.m. was laying a flat sheet into its place when a u-shaped block of coal weighing about five cwt came away from the roof, striking deceased on the head and body and burying him up to bis waist, death apparently being almost instantaneous. Deceased was a married man with six of a family ranging from 23 to three years. A verdict was returned of accidental death, no blame being attachable to anyone. ACCIDENTAL DEATH. Hamilton, June 29. A verdict of accidental death was returned to-day at the inquest on John William Taylor, aged 71, who was fatally injured by a train at a level crossing at Claudlands. MOTHER FOUND DEAD BY CHILD. Carterton, June 29. What appears to be a sad suicide occurred at Carterton to-day, Adelaide Annie Wallis, wife of D. B. Wallis, painter, being found hanging over the end of a bed. Deceased had been suffering in health for some time past and though depressed gave no sign of suicidal intention. Her husband had been away all week. The children went to school as usual and on returning home at dinner-time, John, aged 9, found his mother dead. Deceased was aged 48, and leaves a family of five, aged from 16 year? to 5. An inquest will be held.

A SAD SUICIDE. Taihape, June 29

At the inquest to-day on Sarah Mcßride, a domestic, single, who was drowned yesterday after jumping from a bridge into the Hautapu river, a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane through fretting for her relatives in Belfast, Ireland, was returned.

One witness, a young girl, saw her standing on a staunchion and pleaded with her not to jump. Deceased said, “please run away.” The girl hurried for assistance but on her return leceased had disappeared. The body was found a few chains lower down by the police. • DEATH UNDER ANAESTHETIC. Taihape, June 29. A young married Maori woman with six children, died yesterday at Dr. MeDiamid’s private hospital under an anaesthetic while teeth were being extracted by Mr De Lautour, a dentist. At the inquest to-day the verdict was that the greatest possible care was taken and skill shown and there was absolutely no blame attachable to anyone.