TWO SUDDEN DEATHS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 829, 30 May 1910, Page 7

TWO SUDDEN DEATHS

AT FOOTBALL MATCHES.

A PLAYER'S FATHER EXPIRES AT ATHLETE PARK.

SPECTATOR DIES AT PALMERSTON-

A very distressing occurrence took, place at the Athletic Park on Saturday during tho progress of tho Rugby football match between St. James and Poneko, one of tho spectators, Mr. Frederick Robert Hills, of 330 Daniel Street, suddenly expiring while watching the game.

Just about half-time it was evident that something unusual had happened on the western side of the field, for a crowd quickly, gathered in the vicinity. It was at first thought that someone had fainted or taken a fit, for it not infrequently happens at the Park, as at other places to which largo crowds are attracted that a spectator is seized with a fainting seizure of a similar kind.

To those in tho immediate vicinity, .however, it seemed that Mr. Hills had had a fatal attack, and when Dr. Gilmer quickly roached tho snot he was able only to confirm their fears. Two other medical practitioners, Drs. Napier M'Lean and Pigeon, were also immediately in attendance.

It was not long before the assemblage Were acquainted with the painful news, and amid a general hush, in striking contrast.to' the lusty cheering which had been indulged in for close on an hour, a number of bearers, ineluding two ambulance men, removed tho body by the shortest route, across tho field of play, to one of tho dressingsheds.

It appears tjiat Mr. and Mrs. Hills and other members of the family wont to tbo match chiefly on account of the fact that one of their sons was a member of the St. James side, which was engaged upon perhaps the most eventful match of its career. Mrs. Hills and the other members of the family occupied seats in tho grandstand, but Mr. Hills preferred to watch the match in the open.

Deceased had previously been attend'3d by Dr. James, as he was suffering from what is called smoker's heart. Ifc was not, however, anticipated that his life was endangered, and as a matter of fact deceased appeared to be in excellent health.

Mrs. Hills and the other members of the, family were at once informed of tho sad event, and, naturally, the shock proved a severo one to them.

The question of abandoning the maitch was discussed, but ultimately it was decided to proceed with it. A.s might be expected tho .fatality quite marred the enjoyment which would otherwise have been afforded the spectators by such a strenuous and exciting straggle.

Drs. Gilmer and James supplied the necessary certificate as to the cause of death, and upon the matter being reported to the coroner he stated that, tinder the circumstances, ho considered no inquest was necessary. Deceased, who was employed as- a clerk by Messrs. Prouse and Co., was a well-known and highly-esteemed resident of tho city.

During his football sermon at tho King's Theatre on Sunday evening, tho Rev. B. 0. Blxunires sympathetically referred to the sad ' event,' and said that the whole congregation would join with him in extending condolences to the bereaved. MAN FALLS DEAD. SAD OCCURRENCE AT A PALMERSTON MATCH. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Palmerstori North, May 29. While the football matches were proceeding at the • Palmerston Show Grounds on Saturday afternoon, during an exciting part of tho play, an elderly man named Geo. Flvger, a resident of Palmerston fell dead As soon as he was seen to fall he was immediately attended to and medical aid secured, but by this time life 'was quite extinct, and the body was removed to the maji's home in Graham Street.

Deceased was an old resident of Palmerston, but had retired from work. Yesterday morning he had been listening to the Powelka trial, and in the afternoon went to see tho football matches, being apparently in the best of health and spirits.

Deceased was a married man and had several grown-up children and step-children. He was 60 years of age. An inquest will be held on Tuesday.