Series of Unfortunate Mix- Ups Over Wanganui Fatality

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 669, 22 May 1929, Page 13

Series of Unfortunate Mix- Ups Over Wanganui Fatality

(Special to TUB SUN) WANGANUI, Tuesday. In connection with the death of hurdle jockey E. Warner, as a result of injuries received when Gala Day fell during the running of the Rata Hack Hurdles on Saturday, on the concluding day of the Wanganui Jockey Club’s winter meeting, it is opportune to review the occurrence in detail before proceeding to inquire into the allegations made in certain quarters in Auckland to the effect that the Wanganui Jockey Club and the Wanganui police did not notify Mrs. Warner of the tragic affair. It will be recalled that Gala Day, on whom Warner had won the Kaitoke Hack Hurdles on the opening day of the meeting, was one of the leading division in the Rata Hack Hurdles on Saturday, this being the first event on the day’s programme. The race was set down on “correct" card to start at about 11.45 a.m., and as everything w r as right up to time, it must have been not later than 11.50 a.m. when the starter let the field go on what was to be Warner’s last ride. HOW IT HAPPENED j Over the first five furlongs of the mile and a-half race, Joy King was the pilot, showing the way across the top and up the straight the first time, but screwing at his fences as if he did not relish his task. A couple of lengths behind the leader as they raced past the stands the first time came Gala Day, with Red Bank, Tiega, and Paul Lucerne in close attendance. As the field approached the fatal hurdle, Cybele and Otairi could be seen making a forward move. Just exactly what happened at the hurdle is not quite clear, but it appears that Joy King took off first, and Gala Day struck the top of the hurdle and pitched his rider x headlong. The horse rolled over the jockey with the momentum of his fall, but that the injuries that Warner received were not altogether as a result of this latter circumstances may be gathered from the fact that he was struck by one of the following horses a severe blow in the lower part of the chest, fracturing several ribs, and inflicting very serious internal injuries. Whether the hdrse that struck him was Tiega or some other of the contestants could not be verified, but certain it is that Tiega was very much interfered with at this juncture, and lost a good deal of ground. Wihin a few seconds of the occurrence, so prompt is the manner in whiclv the St. John Ambulance brigadesmen on duty attend to these cases, Warner was being looked after by two Red Cross men who were stationed at the hurdle, as in fact there is a pair at every obstacle in both hurdle and steeplechase events. The jockey was removed to the ambulance room immediately the motor-ambulance arrived, which was almost before the rest of the field had passed the winning post. Here he was examined by two doctors, and his removal to the Wanganui Hospital was ordered. Allowing for the time taken in examination, which was as extensive as was possible under the circumstances, it cannot be considered that 12.30 p.m., half an hour after the accident, was too long a time to elapse before the ambulance left for the hospital. As a matter of fact, it was not until the second race had been run that the vehicle set off, but that was only because it was necessary that the ambulance be on the course while the race was on. AT THE HOSPITAL Within a few seconds after the finish of the second race, the ambulance was speeding to the hospital (less than ten minutes’ journey), and well before one o’clock Warner was admitted, but here the unfortunate part of the affair commences, though this cannot be held to reflect on the hospital authorities. Attending Warner were three St. John Ambulance men, but none of the trio knew any particulars concerning him, save his name and the fact that he had met with injuries as the result of a fall. There is a form, and it is a very necessary one, that is usually filled in when a patient enters the hospital. On this are given particulars concerning the patient, such as the name of next-of-kin, address, and telephone number, that the hospital authorities may ring in case of serious complications setting in, or any other emergency. Warner was only semi-conscious when admitted, and he was at once examined by the house surgeon in the ward to which he was admitted. The surgeon, Dr. Griffen, at once realised that Warner was severely injured, but in order to ascertain exactly what the internal injuries were, he instructed the radiologist to prepare for X-ray examination at 5 p.m. Warner was examined by Dr. Griffen again at 3 p.m., and also at 4 p.m., and on each of these occasions it was evident that the injuries were going to prove very serious. Apparently no move was made to get into touch with the Jockey Club officials at the racecourse, though it may be that it was taken far granted that they knew and realised the seriousness of the injuries, and would make the necessary inquiries to ascertain the address of Warner’s wife. Phis was not secured by the hospital authorities, because it considered it W'as not desirable to worry Warner, who was still in a state of semi-coma. Change for the Worse At 5 p.m., when Warner was in the X-ray room undergoing examination. Dr. Kelson, medical superintendent of the Wanganui Hospital, returned from the races (he is a steward of the Wanganui Jockey Club). On examination of the patient with Dr. Griffen it was realised that Warner was snore, seriously ill than was at first thought. A sudden change had taken place, an inexplicable one, and it appeared as if Warner was sinking rapidly. His breathing, owing to the fact that one lung had apparently been punctured by a broken rib, was difficult. Blood had gathered between the lung and the wall of the chest. Despite every effort made by Dr. Nelson and Dr. Griffen, it was ap almost hopeless task and Warner passed away at about 6 p ; m. A few minutes before this Dr. Nelson had caused Mr. W. Hall, secretary of the Wanganui Jockey Club, to be communicated with, the object being to inform Warner’s relatives of the serious nature of the injuries. This was cit about 5.45 p.m. After making some inquiries the superintendent was informed that the only person of whom the club knew anything was Mr. P. Conway, of EJlerslie, who was understood to be Warner’s father-in-law. A few moments later Warner

expired. Dr. Nelson caused an urgent telegram to be dispatched to the address given, notifying Warner's supposed father-in-law of the sad affair, and asking instructions concerning the disposal of the body, with every expectation that a reply would be forthcoming on Saturdav nieht or Sundav morning. Dr. Nelson left the matter at that stage. Much later on Saturday night a telephone communication was received from Mr. C. Matthews, Frankton Junction. owner of Gala Day, stating that he had been informed by a friend that news ha # been broadcast, by wireless, and asking for confirmation or otherwise. An Unfortunate Mistake r - Griffen, with whom Mr. Matthews got into communication, stated th.it the news was true, and that the father-in-law of Warner had been informed iby means of an urgent telegram. At | this stage it was not made clear b> Dr. Griffen that he understood Mr. Conway wis the father-in-law mentioned. This, as matters transpired was rather unfortunate, for it turns out that Mr. Conway was the father of Warner’s first wife. Tlius a misunderstanding arose. The hospita. a nthorities are still unaware of the relatives of the deceased jockey and they had not been noti.tied of los death. On Sunday morning Dr. Nelson was informed that no instructions had been received, so he endeavoured to get into touch with R. Savage, a jockey who was staying at the Criterion Hotel, and who had on Saturday night, about an hour after Warner’s death, taken charge of the effects of deceased. Jockey Savage was not in at the time. Fortunately Dr. el son was able to hold a conversation with Mr H. Connop, of Woodville, who proceeded to ring up A. Tinker, r rankton Junction, the trainer ; of Gala Day. Later on Dr. Nelson ! was informed that Tinker had been i told of the occurrence and had stated he would break the news to Mrs. Warner. A later communication gave instructions that tlie body was to be sent on to a firm of Auckland undertakers. Dr. Nelson at once handed over these orders to a Wanganui undertaker. This is as far as the hospital authorities could go in the matter, and as much as they could do with the scanty information which they possessed. Now comes the part of the police. It ' was not until 7.45 p.m. that the polipe , were informed of Warner s death, and were told that steps had been taken to inform the deceased jockey’s relatives of liis fate, the delay, according to Dr. Nelson, being due to the fact that this was in endeavouring to ascertain the address of the relatives. On the Sunday morning Sergeant I Sivyer was informed that no intima- ' tion had been received from the relatives. He made inquiries that led him to the Criterion Hotel about the time Mr. Connop was getting into touch with Tinker. Having satisfied himself that that was as far as they could go at that time, Sergeant Sivyer left the matter at that stage. So far as the Wanganui Jockey Club was concerned the matter is a little clearer. It was not until the hospital authorities notified Mr. Hall at 4.45 p.m. thdt Warner's condition verged on the desperate that it was realised how serious the injuries had been. At this stage, with the race meeting over, and most of those in possession of the necessary information scattered, it was rather difficult to find anyone who couTd give a definite address that would find Warner’s relatives. Then it was suggested that the supposed father-in-law at Ellerslie be communicated with. This fragile straw was grasped. That it proved so fragile and unfortunate, and that the mistake was not discovered until so late, made matters all the worse. However, it transpires that later in the evening Mr. D. R. Robbins, as-sistant-secretary of the Jockey Club, managed to get into telephonic communication with a friend of Mrs. Warner and acquaint her of the tragicaffair. Whether Mrs. Warner received the message before the arrival of Mr. Matthews with the news has not yet been definitely ascertained, but at that late hour it was almost as far as the Jockey Club authorities could go in the matter. What really does appear to call for some explanation is the delay that occurred before the officials of the Jockey Club were informed of the serious state of "Warner’s injuries. Whether the honorary medical advisers of the Jockey Club left it for the house surgeon of the hospital to convey the information, or whether that official took it for granted that the medical jnen who examined Warner at the racecourse knew the extent of the injuries and would act accordingly, is not clear, but apparently there was not sufficient co-operation between the course and the hospital. If the Jockey Club officials had been informed between 12.45 (the time Warner was admitted to hospital) and 4 p.m., when the third examination of the injured man was made, that the injuries were so severe as to make it imperative or even advisable that Warner's relatives should be communicated with. it seems certain that steps would have been taken at once to ascertain the address of Mrs. Warner. At the same time it would appear that very little was done by any official, paid or honorary, of the Wanganui Jockey Club to ascertain whether Warner was dangerously ill or not. In the interest of all parties concerned, a further inquiry appears necessary.