GORED TO DEATH BY A STAG.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1958, 1 October 1888, Page 3

GORED TO DEATH BY A STAG.

Fall particulars as to the death of Lieutenant Colonel Gaorgo Sowerby, of Putterldge Park, near Lnton, who was gored to death by a pet stag on August 2, oanie out at the inqneßt subsequently held. It appears that Mr Sworder, a young gentleman In very delicate health, whh his couain, Mlsa Clara Sworder, obtained permission to photograph the herd of deer In Colonel Sowerby'a park. The Colonel invited them to go and see a pair of spotted deer which a friend In Kgypt had Bent him a couple of years ago, and which were kept m a speolal paddock. The atng being of a surely disposition was muzzled. The animal was small but powerful, with antlers of immense B'Za, and particularly sharp tines. Mr Sworder whs following the colonel iato the piddock when the latter said, " Don't oorao, aa you are a stranger ;" and, laaghing, he Added, " Perhaps it may run at me." Mr j Sworder returned to undo hia oameia, and hia oousln went to assist him, Looking round directly after she saw the colocol on the ground with the stag butting at him. She ecreamod, "Look; he's down," and Mr Sworder Instantly jumped over the fe&ce, taking the tripod of his camera as a weapon and went to his aid, shouting also for help. A scene of excitement followed, The colonel was on his back pinned down by the etag'a antlers, and he had a gaßh under hia eye. Mr Sworder got a knife to stab the animal, but the colonel said, "Air right, we'll manage him." The stag made another rush at the fallen colonel, which Mr Sworder stopped by laying hold of its antlers. In the struggle be was toßsed over Us head. The boast became more infutiated, And before Mr Sworder could reoover himself, thrust twice more at the prostrate and bleeding man. Again Mr Sworder seized the stag, and by great eflhrts managed to hold it till help had been fetcbed by Miss Sworder; la a few minutes three other meo had come to the enclosure, and they, with Mr Swordor, threw the stag over the fence, and it bounded away acres j the park. The colonel was then bleeding very much from a wound m the thigh, and Mr Sworder tied his handkerchief round it to stauuoh the effusion, and took the colonel's from his peeked to put on the gash on his forehead. He was carried into the house m an unconsciousness state, and after a few gasps ho died. He had sustained wounds on the face, Bide, and thigh of a superficial character, and a fatal gash below the collar-bone, four luohes long, and penetrating to the heart. The stag waa subsequently shot.