SUDDEN DEATH

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7901, 12 September 1929, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH

COLLAPSE OF OLD WAIHI RESIDENT GOING HOME FROM WORK HEART FAILURE THE CAUSE Seventy-four years of age and a Waihi resident of long standing, Mr Janies Thomson, of Gladstone road and an engine-driver in the employ of the Waihi Gold Mining Company, collapsed and expired in Walmsley road while returning home from work between 4 and 5 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. Deceased was

not seen to fall, but was found lying on the footpath almost immediately afterwards by Mr B. A. Wagstaff, who was cycling along Walmsley road. Death had already taken lilace. In the sad circumstances there will be general sympathy with the widow and family of four grownup sons.

No medical certificate as to the cause of death being forthcoming, an inquest was held before the district coroner (Mr W. M. Wallnutt) yesterday forenoon. James Silaci Thomson, power station operator, a son of the deceased, gave evidence of identification and said he last saw his father alive at 10 p.m. on the day before his death. His .father had been in good health and spirits, and was not suffering from any illness, nor had be complained of ill-hearth. Deceased, who was nearly 74 years of age, was an engine-driver employed by the Waihi Gold Mining Company, and resided with his wife, witness and another son in upper Gladstone road. FINDING OF THE BODY Bert Alfred Wagstaff, timberman, of Walmsley road, stated that about 4.20 p.m. on Tuesday, while he was cycling along Walmsley road, he saw the body of an elderly man lying on the footpath, near the Dobson Street corner. Witness got off his bicycle and lifted one of Mr Thompson’s arms. He appeared to be dead. Another man, Fred Cartman, came along and stayed with the deceased while witness sent for a doctor and later informed Mr Thomson, junr., of the incident. Witness did not see Mr Thomson collhpse, but arrived on’ the scene immediately after he had fallen. It did not seem that deceased had struggled at all. Dr. T. G. Short gave evidence that he arrived on the scene at about 4.30 o’clock. Mr Thomson had then been dead about ten minutes. There was nothing to suggest that death had been due to other than natural causes, and the position of the body was consistent with the deceased having had a sudden heart seizure. f ln his opinion death had been caused by heart failure, probably due to advanced years.

In returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence the coroner extended the sympathy and condolence of the court to Mr Thom? son, Junr., and other members of the family in their sad bereavement. On behalf of the police Sergeant Calwell enorsed the remarks of the coroner.