FATAL ACCIDENT IN EGMONT DISTRICT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7378, 23 May 1887, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT IN EGMONT DISTRICT.

MAN SHOT WHILST LIFTING A "GUN. A SAD accident occurred on Sunday afternoon a short distance from the Egmont Village. It appears that two brothers named Gibson (sons of Captain Gibson, of Smart Road) went out pigeon shooting. They had reached that portion of the Waiwakaiho river near Major Baddoley's farm; where they proposed otossing. The deceased, whose name was William, had but one arm, and laid dowa his gun whilst he tucked up his trousers. He then lifted his gun with the muzzle towards him, when it went off, the shot piercing his heart. The deceased instantly fell, uttering the words "Good God, I'm shot," and expired immediately. Horrified at the occurrence, the brother ran to Major Baddeley's house, and informed him of the .jcident. Some of the neighbours were communicated with, and a party was soon formed, who went to the spot where tho deceased was lying, and they conveyed tho body to Major Baddeley's house, where an inquest was held this afternoon. A son of Major Baddeley rode into town and informed the police, intimating that Gibson was dangerously wounded. Dr. O'Carroll not being in town, Dr. Leathnm immediately went to render any assistance he could, but found on arriving at his destination that he had gone on an unnecessary errand, as the young man was dead. The gun must hare been olose to the young man's chest, for there is only one wound ; the whole charge of shot must have thus penetrated his heart. The deceased met with a terrible acci dent some years ago, when quite a boy. He was attending his father's bone crushing maohine, aad by some means allowed his arm to be drawn into it and I smashed. He was an excellent swimmer, notwithstanding the lose of a limb, ana .being a genial young man made many I friends amongit thoie of bio own age.