HEATH FROM INJURIES

Evening Star, Issue 19793, 17 February 1928, Page 4

HEATH FROM INJURIES

FATE OF MOTOR CYCLIST

INQUEST HELD TO-DAY

Laurence R. Fillingham, a young man who resided in Ravensbourne, and whose serious accident while riding a motor cycle along Anzae avenue was reported in last evening’s issuCj died in the Public Hospital last evenmgas a result of his injuries. After being admitted at about 7.45 a.m. he was operated upon at 2 p.m. He appeared to rally slightly, but collapsed and died at about 8 p.m. Fillingham, who was a single man, twenty-five years of age, lived at 42 Ross street, Ravensbourne, with his mother, and at the time of the accident was riding his motor cycle to work in the city. As _ the rider approached the intersection of Anzae avenue and Hanover street, a motor van belonging to the _ Dunedin Ice Cream Company, and driven by Mr G. W. Brown, was moving across the railway lines and proceeding up Hanover street. Fillingham saw the van when it was too late, for, in an attempt to avert a collision, he swerved across the road and struck the vehicle in the rear. Ho was thrown with considerable violence against the side of the van, and suffered severe injuries. Mr Brown picked him up and conveyed him to the hospital. THE INQUEST. .

An inquest was opened at the hospital this morning under Mr H. W. Bundle as coroner. Constable D. M. Mackenzie, of Ravensbourne, identified the body.

Dr De Clive Lowe, in giving medical evidence, stated that deceased was admitted to hospital yesterday morning between 7.45 and 8 o’clock. When witness saw him he was suffering from concussion, a compound fracture of the left kneecap, and a fractured wrist. At about 2 p.m. an operation was performed by Dr Jenkins, assisted by witness. The operation was partly successful, and deceased, although he did not regain consciousness, left the theatre in good condition. Unfortunately it w T as impossible to open up the brain sufficiently to alleviate the whole of the compression which followed the concussion. Deceased’s general condition improved slightly, but he died at 8 p.m., death being caused by. respiratory failure due to pressure on the medulla. Even had it been possible to remove all tho pressure it was doubtful whether deceased would have recovered.

Sergeant Dunlop; Were his injuries consistent with those resulting from a fall from a motor cycle? Dr Lowe; Quite, The Coroner adjourned the inquest sine die, pending further inquiries by SaaeranTit. Dn«W