INQUEST AT GREY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1917, Page 1

INQUEST AT GREY.

An inquest was held at the Cireymoutli Courthouse on Monday, touching the death of the Into Alarion "Wilson. Mr. T. 11 utciiison, District Coroner, presided, and Senior Sergeant Simpson appeared on behalf of the police. Dr. Usher!s evidnee was to the effect that, tho deceased had entered the hospital suffering from a severely fractured leg broken in five places below the knee, and badly lacerated. He had recommended amputation, but this the relatives had not favoured, as the girl was in a very low condition. Death was due to septicaemia.

Robert Russell (proprietor of - the Park Hotel), and wife and Kate'Wilson, (sister of the deceased) adso gave evidenc.

The latter was employed at the hotel and o|i.the night in question thq deceased called to accompany her home from the hotel. At about 10.15 the two sisters were leaving the hotel by the. back stairway. The night was dark, and raining, and they called to Mrs Russell for a light- The light was brought, and the - three women had only taken a couple of steps when the upper portion of the stairway collapsed and they fell 12ft* to lift. Mrs Russell and Miss-K. Wilson fell in a crouch position, the deceased getting her legs caught in the steps, and it was believed she struck a meat safe.

Robert Russell said the building had only been erected six years, and that recently ho had it thoroughly inspected. The stairway was in general use by those in the- house, and was the common way out, to the back. Neither he or any of iiis staff had noticed nything wrong with the stairway prior to tho accident. An examination of the wood after the accident showed that—the ends of the stair stringers had perished.

The Coroner returned a verdict that death was due t° septicaemia-resulting from injuries received from the accidental collapse of the stairway. ""***■"' •