TRAGIC JOKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1924, Page 4

TRAGIC JOKE.

MAN SWALLOWS POISON. SUDDEN COLLAPSE AND DEATH, STRANGE CHRISTCHURCH CASE. A tragic sequel to what was intended primarily to be a joke, occurred at Christchurch on Monday morning, when Alfred Walker suddenly collapsed and died in the Ohniatchurch Hospital after it was thought that he was out of danger. Deceased was admitted to the hospital late on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 9, suffering from the effect's of poison. After he had received medical attention he seemed to improve. How the man came to poison himjself is the story of a joke that went against him. On the afternoon of September 9 he went to the Heathcote bowling green, where three men were engaged in a working bee exterminating weeds and improving the greens generally. A gallon bottle of poison for use by the working bee was- standing on a table. When Walker came in he lifted the bottle to his lips and called out to the men, “Wfell, boys, here’s a go.” Apparently it was intended as a joke,, but Walker must have under-estimated the quantity of liquid in the bottle. Before he could prevent himself he must have swallowed a mouthful of -the poison. The bottle was clearly marked ‘poison,’ and when he (first lifted it the men had called to him to put it down as it was dangerous. However, he laughed and put the bottle to his mouth despite the warnings of the men.

After swallowing the liquid deceased immediately fell to the floor, and was in great pain. Ab soon as possible he was given an emetic of mustard and water and later a motor ambulance conveyed him to the Christchurch Hospital. Deceased made a statement that he alone was to blame. VERDICT AT INQUEST. DEATH FROM MISADVENTURE. Christchurch, Last Night. An inquest was held to-day concerning the death of Alfred John Walker, a labourer, from the Chatham Islands, who visited the Heathcote bowling green, where men were at work preparing the green for the coming season’s play, and in the spirit of fun placed a 'bottle of weed killer to his lips and died from the effects. In the hospital gangrene of the internal tissues set in and lie died on Monday. A verdict of death from misadventure was returned.