CHILD’S TRAGIC END

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 5

CHILD’S TRAGIC END

PINNED BY A WINDOW. NAPIER MOTHER’S TERRIBLE DISCOVERY. A most tragic end bef e l Dorothy Leyland Green, aged years, the only child of Mr and Mrs J. Green, who met her death by strangulation at the residence of her parents, 308 Hastings street, Napier, yesterday. it appears that the little girl, during her mother’s absence tfied to enter the house by climbing through a small window, the sash of which was raised only five or six inches, and fastened by a bolt. While her Head was through the window tho Alt eame out and the window fell pinning her by the nock. The mother of the child arrived homo shortly afterwards to see her daughter in that position. Dr. Costello was immediately summoned, but death had occurred before his arrival.

THE INQUEST An inquest was held at the Napier Courthouse at noon to-day before the Coroner. Mr A. M. Mowlom, 8.M., Sergeant Quayle conducting the proceedings on behalf of tho police. Dorothy Green mother of the deceased, stated that yesterday afternoon she visited some friends, and her little girl went to school. On returning at a quarter to live witness went to the kitchen where she saw her child pinned by the head in the , window. Apparently tho child had unbolted the window and clambered. on to a block of wood, iu order to get in. After getting her head through, tho window must have fallen. Dr Costello was summoned, and arrived immediately but eould only pronounce life extinct. Evidence was given by Dr Desmond Costello that the cause of death was strangulation and shock. John Green, telegraph linesman, the father of th'’ deceased, stated that shortly boi’o > .five o’clock last night he received ar. urgent message, and proceeded home where he found bis child lying dead. The window had nover seemed dangerous as the child had never attempted to got through it. Lclia Annie Redshaw, residing at .306 Hastings strut, stated that shortly after 4 30 yesterday afternoon she heard screams from the Green's She- immediately went over, and found Mrs Green lying in tho yard in an hysterical state. Another neighbour, Mr Kaye, arrived and earned the child inside. In witness’s opinion the child was dead before she arrived. CORONER’S VERDICT. In returning a verdiet in accord ancc with the medical testimony, the Coroner said that this inquest was one of the saddest duties he had ever had to perform. A most beautiful child of 5) fears had been caught as though in a trap during her mother’s absence. Owing to a lean-to roof the window could not be counter-balanc-ed. “There wire other methods of hanging this window,” said ths Coroner. “The one adopted was most atrocious and slip-shod. My deepest sympathy go-'s out to the parents in their very sad loss. ’’