FATAL ACCIDENT AT MATAHURA

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3502, 4 December 1894, Page 5

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MATAHURA

A fatal accident, startling in the suddennesspfjts consequences, occurred on Saturj. day afternoon la?t and by which an active and promising life was brought to an untimely and abrupt termination. The victim was Mr W. Potter, of Ohinewai, a young man of 26 years of age, widely, known and esteemed. It appears Mr Potter was at the time engaged bringing in a waggon load of wen flax from a swamp on the Matahura road, about two miles in from the railway'crowing; when on cbminjr 'down asmall hill the hones (four) got a bit restive and in his attempt to restain them he fell off his load, (flax is at all times very slippery), and falling violently' oh his • head ''he' received such a shock that death was almost instantaneous. Mr Hannan Wolter, for whom deceased was working, happened' to be riding seme litting distance behind the waggon and on seeing vhat had; happened immediately went to render help.and found that Potter was insensible, he remained so far a short time and expired. He then rode on to inform Mr VV, H'ooten, (brother-in-law'of Mr 1 Potter) at Ohinewai, and despatched a messenger to Huntly who returned with Dr. Maclachlan at one* On arrival the doctor pronounced life extinct and stated the cause of death. The body was soon removed to'Mr Hootans, their sudden and sad bereavement plunging the family into gloom and despondency. ; An inquest was held at Mr Hooten's yesterday, into the circumstances, Mr R. fi- Ralph J.P., acted as Coroner, the jury consisted of Messrs R. Muir, foreman, Salton, Stott, and Zance. Mr Harman Wolter, the chief witness, stated the particulars, as mentioned above, and what he bad done after the accident, leaving one of his men in charge of the body while he despatched a messenger for the doctor and hastened to report the matter to the police. Dr. Maclachlan stated that when he arrived at the scene;of the accident he found deceased lying on his back, his face being very blanched He discovered a wound about an inch long on the vertex of the; head, and; the body was very limp. Death in his opinion resulted from failure of the heart's action caused by a violent shock to the system such as a heavy fall might produce, Robert Waugh, who came to Mr Wolter's assistance, and Mr W. Hooten brother-in-law of deceased also gave evidence. The jury returned a verdict a "Accidental Death." The body will be taken to Auckland to-day for interment.