Oroua Bridge Accident

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 38, 15 September 1892, Page 2

Oroua Bridge Accident

+. — :_ — - An inquest wan held at the Junction Hotel, Longburn, on Tuesday fast to inquire into the circumstances concerning the death of James Head. John Sorley, medical practitioner, residing at Feilding, said lie had that day made a post mortem examination upon the body of James Head. Had examined the body for ordinary signs of death by drowning and found none. Found the tip of deceased's nose was missing; also right half of the upper and lower lips. The scalp on the left frontal and parietal was absent to the extent of the size of the hand. There were no other marks of injury on the front of the body. On turning the body over, witness noticed increased mobility of the neck. With this: exception there were no other marks of injury about the back of the body. On deeper examination of the neck witness found a fracture, and dislocation of the first, second, and third cervical vertebrae, also increased mobility between the third, fourth and fifth. There was no fracture of the skull Cut into a bruise on the forehead, but it was only post mortem changes. Had no doubt that the cause of death was the injury to the neck. In ordinary language deceased had a broken neck, and death must have been instantaneous. By the jury: Thought the action ot the water and fish was the cause of deceased losing portions of his face. Could not say from appearances whether deceased's mouth had been injured before falling into the water. Jobn Head, platelayer, said he had seen the body thai day and identified it as that of his son. James John Head. Sergeant Slattery then asked for an adjournement of the inquest until Fn« day at 11 o'clock, which was granted.