TRAGIC DEATH ON SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 122, 16 February 1921, Page 6

TRAGIC DEATH ON SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS

CARETAKER CHARGED BY A

BULLOCK.

By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Mastorton, February 15.

The death in tragic circumstances of John Kilminster, caretaker of the Masterton A. and P. Association’s grounds, cast, a gloom over the opening of the show to-day. When- Kilminster commenced work this morning about 4 o’clock he was apparently in his usual health. Shortly Wore 7 o’clock, whilst deceased was engaged in repairing a cattle a bullock rushed into the race m which he was standing. Leslie Donald called out, “Look out, Kilminster.” Deceased ran from the animat, which overtook him and jumped over him. Ho fell, but got up again immediately and climbed to the top of one of the surrounding fenceev x.e sat there for a few - ’' minutes, then collapsed suddenly and fell into the arms of an attendant, William Page. Dr. Prior was sent for, but on arriving hail an hour later found that the man had died in the meantime. Deceased, who was 65 years of age, had been employed as caretaker of the Solway show grounds for the past eight years. He had been treated for pleurisy and other chest trouble during recent years. Ho is survived by a widow and grownup family. As a tribute to deceased, who had done excellent service for the A. and P. Association, the Bags on the show grounds were flown at half-mast to-day. it an inquest held 'before Mr. E. G. Eton, District Coroner, a verdict was returned that death was due to heart failure caused through shock occasioned by the charge of a bullock.