INQUEST ON YOUNG MARRIED MAN

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1948, Page 2

INQUEST ON YOUNG MARRIED MAN

A verdict, that deqth caused by a gross haemorrhage of the .lUng, due to an unexplained toxic condition, was returned by Coroner, Mr M. J. Fogarty, J.JJ.,.. at. the inquest at Greymouth yesterday, into the death on December 29; 1947, of George McLean, aged 27, who was found in on unconscious state on the floor of the kitchen at his home in Sinnott Road, Greymouth. EVIDENCE OF WIDOW

Janet Margaret McLean, widow of the deceased, said that she had last se/m her husband, prior to his collapse, at 1 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. December 27, when he left her mother’s home in Blaketown with the intention of visiting the Recreation Hotel. He was thenjn good health. Witness was telephoned by her husband at about 7.45 that evening, when he said that he was going to their home in Sinnot Road to change, adding that, if it kept on raining, he intended .staying at home. She did not hear from him again, and, on entering her home at eight o’clock next morning (Sunday), she found her husband. lying unconscious on the floor near the sink. Witness stated that she noticed a smell of gas when she entered the kitchen. She found that after he had cooked a meal, her husband had not completely turned off the gas. Deceased, prior to collaosing, had evidently eaten a meal, for cooking utensils were still on the stove. He was fully dressed. The bed had not been slept in. On the arrival of a doctor the deceased was taken to hospital, where he died without regaining consciousness. Witness stated that, following an injury in the Liverpool mine, where he was employed, and a later fall from a cvcle her husband had frequently complained of headaches.