ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2405, 10 March 1915, Page 7

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

DEATH UNDER 'AN ANAESTHETIC.

An inquest was held by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., : at the . . Wellington Hospital yesterday afternoon into the death of Minnie M'Neill, who died at that institution on Friday last while undergoing an operation for the removal of her false teeth, which she accidentally swallowed. Evidence was given by the house surgeon at the Hospital, Dr. Marshall, .to the effect that the deceased .was./brought to. the Hospital at about 10.30 a.m. on Friday, and was in a "condition of extreme shock and nervous prostration. An anaesthetic was administered to . deceased,- so ..that the • teeth sho had swallowed might_ he removed. The patient was taking it well, but quite suddenly and in spite of the immediate application of restorative methods died. In witness's opinion death was due to heart failure consequent on her nervous condition. Sarah Beck, matron at Lambton Quay Police Station, said that deceased was a prisoner in her charge at Lambton on the morning of March 5. About 7.80 a.m. she gave her some coffee, and deceased was quite cheerful. Later witness heard the other two women prisoners singing out deceased was in a fit. "Witness attended her, and later deceased said she had swallowed her. false teeth. A doctor was called in," and deceased removed to the Hospital. The Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to heart failure while under the influence of an anaesthetic. Everything possible- had been done to revive deceased, but without* effect. MAN BURNT TO DEATH. • (By i TdefflUDh.—Ptcss Association.) Auckland, March 9. , While threshing was proceeding on W. A. M'Kay's property at Waiuku,straw outside of the barij. caught fire from some unknown cause, and the flames-were carried into the barn, where the men were at work. Duncan M'Kaj, aged 72 years, and another man were on a scaffold stowing hay, and the flames enveloped the hay so quickly that M'Kay was unable to escape, and was burnt to death. The other 'man escaped . with some burns. BOY DROWNED AT MOTUEKA: Nelson, March 9. A.lad named Harry Hills, 12 years of age, whose parents Teside in Nelson, was drowned at Motueka to-day.