ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13752, 18 June 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

DEATH-'OF-Mils,' BROOKS

THE INQUEST,

(From "The Colonist," may' 26.)

An inquest on-the body of the late Mrs. H. VV. lirooks, ot 88 vah.y, who died on Thursday as the result of injuries received through being tin own from a trap at Wakeneicl on Monday last was heard on Saturday afternoon by the Coroner (Mr. J. fc>. Evans). Constable jjitzshmnons represented the police, and Mr. A. T. Maginnity watched proceedings on bchalr of tho deceased's husband.

William F. Fryer, employed at Martin and Co.'s butchery, stated tiiat at 7.30 on Monday morning last ho was driving four horses from a paddock down 'to the stable belonging to Mr. Martin. When passing the corner of 88 Valley road' ho saw the deceased coming towards him driving a horso and trap. When about 300 yards from him tho horse turned round and started off down the road at an increasing pace until it broke into a gallop. Ho tried to follow on his bicycle and drove his horses ahead of him. The horses had covers on them, one of which was loose. His horses did not at any time get nearer to the trap when it turned than three or four chains,, and never nearer than that, to the runaway. By tho time he got to the stables his horses wore going at a fast pace but were not gaining. Tho trap 'Struck tho station gates and the deceased was thrown out. Doris Shea deposed that she passed tho trap as she was going to work, in front of Mrs. Baigent's gate. When she had gone about two or three yards sho heard a voicej, and turning round, saw Mrs Brooks' horse and trap with two horses galloping alongside. She went into the gate and two other horses came close behind. She watched them out of sight. After they passed her on to the road and a man passed her on a bicycle,-^making after the horses. Evelyn Brooks, daughter of deceased, stated that her mother drove her to the station und turned back to go home. While waiting for the train she saw their horse-gallop down the rqsd, with four others alongside of it. The. four horses turned into Martin's, and their horse, and trap came on towards the station. Sho rushed to meet it. When about half way to the gates, the trap struck the post and her mother was thrown out.

Lydia Duke, who was in the boardinghouse next to Martin's, stated that she hoard a clattering noke, and rushed out to tho gate. She saw Mrs. Brooks' horso and trap galloping towards the railway station, about fifty yards past where' sho was. At that tin* there Mere no other horses in sight. She watched the trap until it struck the post, and saw Mrs. Brooks thrown out. H. J. Harris, baker, gave evidence in regard to the assistance rendered to Mr»» Brooks. H. W. Brooks, husband ef deceased, deposed that the horse was one bred by himself, and broken to harness about 3\ years ago. It was quiet and fairly slow.

*The Coroner found that tho deceased, Emily Brooks, died on Thursday, May 22nd, at 88 Valley, from a. fracture of the base of tho skull caused by an accident, by which sho was thrown from a trap at tho railway gates at Wakefield, on. Monday, May 19th, as the result of a runaway horse. The evidence pointed in the direction that Mrs. Brooks' hors*. was frightened by four horses which were being driven loose along tho road.

Mr F. Wells, a farmer from the Croixellos, met with a painful accident yesterday. He was killing a. sheep and the knife slipped, resulting in a severe gash on his thigh. Ho was placed'in a motor launch and brought to Nelson in. the afternoon, where he received medical treatment. -

A young man named George Jamieson, employed at Messrs. Ns-lder and Co.'s furniture factory in Nile street, met with a painful accident yesterday morning, while working_ a. planing machine, which, resulted in the index finger of his left hand being cut off, and the palm lacerated. Dr. Lucas attended to the injury, and Jamie son was taken to his homo.

An accident occurred in the Maitai Valley the other day whereby Mr. J. Brewerton lost two valuable draught horses. The driver of tho waggon was proceeding towards- Mr. Biewerton's, after dark, when without warning the waggon wont over the side of the road, and with the four horses was precipitated into the river some fifty or sixty feet below. The driver had a miraculous escape, and got ofl" with a few bruises. The accident occurred ju«t above Smith's, Mr. Geo. Smith, hearing the smash, ran to tho scene, and plunging into the river, .released the two leaders, whose lives were saved. Tho other two horses were drowned.

A painful accident occurred to a young man named Stanley Hull at Messrs Carlisle and Co.'s plumbing works yesterday afternoon. Hull, was; repairing the benzine tank of a motor car, and placing a lighted match ct the inlet for tho. purpose of inspecting the interior, an explosion occurred. Tho rush of flames caught the unfortunate youno; man full in the face, and-lie was severely burned. It is believed, however, that his sight will bo unimpaired. Dr Bstt was promptly in attendance, and when Hull's injuries had becn\attonded to temporarily he was removyd to tho hospital. The tank, which u-a.s omptv, fortunately withstood the force of thY explosion, otherwise the consequences might have been moro serious.