Fatal Accident

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 58, 1 November 1890, Page 2

Fatal Accident

On Wednesday last, about ten o'clock in the forenoon, when Samuel Coker and his two eons were bushfelling on his own land, near Ashurst, father was engaged in catting down a email tawa tree, of about twelve inches in diameter. He had put in his " scarf " on the windward side about half way through, when the wind took the top of the tree, and forcing it over, the bole split up for about ten feet and then broke oft. The uncut portion of the bole, attached to the stump, which had been bent forward threw the top part back, and the sharp edge of this struck Mr Coker over the right ear, fractured his skull, and killed him instantaneously. The eldest son came to his father's assistance at once, and found him lying with the tree on his arm. In the meantime the second son had come up, and they saw at once that their father was dead. Mr Tremewan, of Ashurst, being at hand, assisted the lads to bear their cad burden home. Mr Coker leaves a large family fairly provided for. His life was -insured for £200 in the Government Life Insurance Department. An inquest was held on Thursday, and a verdict of accidental death returned. The deceased was wellknown in Feilding, he being ont of the original settlers He was highly respected, and the sympathy of everyone who knows the family has been extended to them in their bereavement. The funeral of the late Mr Coker took place this af ernoon and the cortege passed through to the Feilding Cemetery shortly after one o'clock. It was attended by nearly every settler in the neighborhood as well as by many promiueat Feilding citizens.