KILLED BY TREE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22935, 4 July 1944, Page 4

KILLED BY TREE

Death Of Married Man Accident At Burke's Pass James Alexander Ballantyne. a married man. aged 52, was killed on Saturday afternoon, when the tree he was assisting to fell broke off unexpectedly, crushing him against the stump. Death was thought to be instantaneous. ! Deceased was engaged with Mr H. R. I Pullar in felling a willow tree on the Council's plantation near Burke's Pass. Dr. M. S. Wells, of Fairlie. arrived shortly after the accident, but Ballantyne was already dead An inquest was held on Sunday at Burke's Pass before Mr J. Fraser, J.P.. Assistant Coroner, and a jury comprising Messrs W. F. Jones, W. J. Dick, E. Hannigan and T. J. McCarthy. Evidence of identification was given by Henry Whiting. Henry Richard Pullar said that he was helping deceased to cut down a large willow tree. When they had cut about halfway through, the tree suddenly split and fell, crushing Ballantyne against the stump. Dr. Wells described the nature of the injuries, which, he said, were sufficient to cause death instantaneously. The jury brought in the following verdict: “That deceased, James Alexander Ballantyne, met his death through being crushed by a tree which he was assisting to fell.” Deceased, who resided at Burke's Pass, leaves a widow. Mrs D. Ballantyne. and a family, one of whom is serving overseas.