“LATE ARRIVAL OF AMBULANCE”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 497, 20 July 1932, Page 5

“LATE ARRIVAL OF AMBULANCE”

CORONER WANTS INFORMATION FALL INTO HOT POOL TRAGIC END TO DANCE An inquest was held at Rotorua on Saturday concerning the death of Mr. Edward Baxter, who received fatal injuries through falling into a hot pool at Whakarewarewa on July 2. Dr. B. G. Thomson said that on the morning of July 3, at about one o’clock, the deceased was brought into the King George Hospital suffering from injuries caused through falling into a hot pool. The cause of death was shock following extensive scalds. There was no explanation given as to the cause of the delay in bringing the deceased into the hospital, although he did not think f that the delay would have made any difference in saving ti?e man’s t | life.

Cyril Smith said he was in the company of the deceased on the night of Uie occurrence. They proceeded to \V hakarewarewa from Rotorua at about 10.30 p.m. to attend a dance. They were accompanied by four young I ladies. Shortly after 11 p.m. witness, I In company with the deceased and a i native named Tohiui, went to the din- ! jug hall about 50 yards away from the j dancing hall to arrange lor supper for i the party. There was a great deal of i steam in the vicinity of me dining hall ! coming from the hot springs in close | proximity. After the supper arrange--1 ments had been made, Mr. Baxter left ’ the dining hall to fetch the ladies, j and shortly after leaving, a loud 1 scream aws heard. Witness rushed

out proceeded by Tohiui. He followed Tohiui ami later assisted in getting Mr. Baxter out of the pool. Later he accompanied the deceased to the hospital in a private car. Witness was of the opinion that after leaving the hall Mr. Baxter fell over a cold water pipe near the edge of the pool, and that he rolled down into the hot water. He was prepared to say that the pool was unsafe and that it should be fenced. Heard Someone Calling Ngatapiri Tohiui said that when the deceased left the dining Hall he said that he was going to fetch the girls. Soon after he left the hall witness heard someone calling out in Maori that somebody had fallen into a hot pool. He rushed out of the front door and on the left hand side of the door was a hot pool into which Mr. Baxter had fallen. He was lying on his back in the water. Witness caught hold of the deceased’s clothing and pulled him out of the pool. Nobody helped him until after he had brought the deceased out and called for help. Mr. Smith then came up and gave assistance. There was a private cai nearby and in this the deceased was taken to the hospital. The next morning witness said he saw that the water pipe, which was above the ground and ran parallel with the dining hall, had been shifted four inches. The pool was situated about nine feet from the entrance to the hall, and there was a light outside. As far as he could say the accident happened at a quarter past eleven. The Coroner (Mr. S. L. Paterson): "But Dr. Thompson said that the deceased did not arrive at the hospital until one o’clock.” It was decided to adjourn the inquest in order to enable the question of the seemingly late arrival of the ambulance to be cleared up.