DEATH OF SCHOOLBOY.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17389, 29 March 1928, Page 5

DEATH OF SCHOOLBOY.

SAD PAHIATUA FATALITY. EVIDENCE .AT INQUEST. EXPLOSION IN LABORATORY. (Bv Telegraph.—Press Association.) PAHIATUA, March 29. An inquest into the death of Leslie * Wilfrid Murphy, the boy. who died from injuries on February 6, as the • result of an explosion in the science room of the Pahiatua Dis&ict High School, was ooened before the district coroner, Mr. J. D. Wilson. The vie* fcim was nearly 16 years of age. Dr. Dawson said when admitted to the hospital the boy was. suffering from shock and two wounds in the abdominal skin. The next morning, when he was in a fit condition, and had partially recovered from the shock, witness opened the victim's abdomen, ■: and found-a triangular piece of plateglass about an inch and a half wide. Both witness and Dr. H. Paterson had made a. very careful examination for any further pieces, but could find no more, nor any marks of laceration made by the glass. A few days aftei the operation an abscess developed. Witness described the next steps taken. Subsequently the'victim.had a very profuse attack of haemorrhage. Witness suspected" there must be some glass undiscovered- in the interior of the liver. He was unable to find any - more, however. The boy seemed well for another two or three days, but when he commenced to move about the " bed he had another attack of bleeding. Witness, then telephoned to the secretary of the Wellington Education Board, and said he wished to have -other surgical advice. The board secretary 'sent Dr. Gordon Anderson, from Wellington. Dr. Anderson gave his opinion that there.was still some glass in the liver, and advised a further operation, which was conducted in the presence of witness and Dr. Paterson, but without detecting any glass. 'The victim passed away from toxaemia, plate-glass having penetrated the abdominal cavity.' The inquiry was adjourned to Wednesday next to give representatives of the Education Department an opportunity to be present. The coroner said all evidence as to'how the accident had actually coccurred would be .left until then.