INQUEST INTO DEATH OF CHILD

Southland Times, Issue 23828, 27 May 1939, Page 9

INQUEST INTO DEATH OF CHILD

FATAL BURNS SUFFERED That Henry Alister O’Donnell died at Invercargill on May 23, 1939, the cause of death being shock following second degree bums suffered by reason of misadventure, was the verdict returned by the Coroner (Mr R. C. Abernethy) in the inquest into the death of the two-year-old son of Mr and Mrs P. O’Donnell, of Waianiwa. The child suffered fatal inquiries when he fell into a dish of hot water at 8 o’clock on Monday morning. The Coroner added the following rider: That while the relations of the child did their utmost, according to their knowledge, to save the child’s life, it would appear wise to warn parents generally that these matters required, and should have, urgent medical or hospital treatment. If such treatment is obtained at once it might mean the difference between life and death.

Mary Jane O’Donnell, grandmother of the child, said that she was working in the kitchen and the child was in his bed. She was in the act of taking coal from a bucket when she heard a splash and a cry. She found the boy in a dish of hot water which she had placed on the floor in front of the fire. She immediately attended to him, applying ointments and putting the child to bed. The following day the boy’s condition was worse and she sent for the doctor, who ordered the child to hospital immediately. Dr H. Hunter, medical practitioner at the Southland Hospital, gave, evidence of examining the child, who was unconscious when he was admitted to the hospital. He did not regain consciousness and died at 11.20 p.m. on May 23.