DEATH IN THE STREET.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14986, 5 June 1914, Page 5

DEATH IN THE STREET.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER'S END

Mr A. Mitchell, a commercial traveller, and a married man, residing at New Brighton, died suddenly on the footpath outside the railway station at 8.45 a.m. yesterday. Ho left his home with the intention of catching the train to Little River. He was delayed at the Post Office, and while hurrying to the train met his brother-in-law, Mr E. C; Chegwin, outside the station. While engaged in conversation Mr Mitchell suddenly threw up his hands and fell on hie back on the pavement. Dr. Thomas was called at once, hut Mr Mitchell was dead when he arrived.

An inquest was held at the morgue at 7.30 p.m. bofore Mr H. \V. Bishop, District Coroner. Mr Chegwiu said Mitchell was his brothor-in-Yaw, and a commercial traveller. Deceased was 60 years 06 ago, married, and lived at New Brighton. He enjoyed good health. About 8.42 a.m. yesterday morning witness met Mitchell hurrying to catch the train to Little River, and spoke to him from a distance. Mitchell was out of breath. Witness met .him shortly ~ afterwards outside the station. Mitchell, who-was almost exhausted, said ho had missed the train by a few minutes. Ho started to tell witness about it.' hut had only been talking about two minutes when he suddenly fell. He breathed for about mi Jutes, but when the doctor arrived, was dead. Dr. Thomas gave evidence as to beins called'to. tlie railway station yesterday -morning. Mitchell was then dead. A post-mortem examination revoaled the fact that the heart was disI eased, aud in a condition.■' known as hvpertrophe. '• The other organs wero fatty. but the extra exertion in endeavouring to catch the train was undoubtedly the cause of death. The Coroner returned a verdict or death from heart failure. COMPLAINT AGAINST DOCTORS.

Mr Chofjwin asked the Coroner if anything could be done to investigate thiV position in regard to summoning medical assistance. He had rung up several doctors, but the only/m.v,er ho .rot was that they were all out. In one instance,' at least, he had reason to believo , that such was not the case, as tho answers to hi* enquiries indicated as much. Mitchell was lying at the station about of an hour before* medical assistance arrived. Fie considered the majority of the doctors displayed great callousness in these instances. . ' ~ The Coroner said it was not a matter for him lo deal widi. If the doctors were, said to bo oui- it would ho difficult to prom they were not. It was a matter for the Pross. Ho was perfectly convinced, however, that Mitchell w«p beyond medical asxisLaroe. and his lite comUI not have- been saved by any doci tor It was plainly the extra exertion of hurn-im? to catch t\w tram that caused * death. He had dealt with dozens of similar cases. It was the rush of blood to the henrt which was the dn niter, the heart boinj? Miff used with blood and unable to cone with it. "Stout people should never hurry, added Mr Bishop. "I'm very particular myself."