ACCIDENTAL DEATH

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 133, 8 July 1929, Page 7

ACCIDENTAL DEATH

FATALITY ON EAST COAST LINE. KILLED BY SHOCK. ' An inquest was beld before Mr H. A. Bj'gum, J.P., coroner, and a jury comprising Messrs Cbristenson, D. Clifford and S. C. Deacon, into tbe death of Jobn Emerson, at Poutulii, on tbe Waihu.a-W airoa seetion of 4be East Coast railway. Tbe inquest was beld at tbe Wairoa Courtliouse on Saturday, Sergeant Quayle conducting tbe proceediugs. Dr. M. D. Price gave evidence of examining the body at tbe hospital morgue, tindiilg tbat tbe actual cause of death was shock. He found no injury to tbe skull or brain. A sudden blow from a fall of eartb would bring about death from shock. Evidence of identification was given by Mr A. G. Harris, civil engineer, Publie Works Department, wbo stated tbat deceaSed was a labourer aged about 50 years. He was working on the day of the accident as bead man witli a gang of four, excavating a cutting at Potutu, neur tbe Wairoa-Napier road. Tbe cutting was one of 1'2 feet at tlie tinie of the accident, eartli rubble and papa reasonably stable. It could not be classed as dangerous. Witness was informed that an accident liad happened and found tliat a small quantity of papa bad fallen from a pocket six feet above tbe floor of tlie cutting. Tbe deeeased bad been pulled out before witness arrived. He (witness) was informed that deeeased had been knocked down by tbe fall referred to. Tliere was in tbe fall one lump of papa approximately weighing 2cwt. Evidence given by Messrs E. A. O'Neill, O'Brien, Fabling and Byson revealed tbe fact tbat about a ton of spoil came down, including one stone 3cwt. in weigbt. Deeeased bad been knocked down by tlie fall and never spoke again. Evidence was also given by Constable W. S. Bacon, _ tbe jury finding tliat deeeased met bis death accidentallv on July 5, 1929, from injuries to tbe spleen due to a fall of eartb causing shock to tbe sj'stem.