OTIRA MAN’S DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1921, Page 4

OTIRA MAN’S DEATH

A VERDICT OF SUICIDI-

CHlUSTf'liniOli. April li. An Otira tunnel worker, .Frank MeAtavi'v, who fell 40 feet from a

window of the Zetland Hotel, in Cliristi ciiiit-cli on March 26th, injuring Uis head, died on Monday at the Christ- ; church Hospital after an operation had I been performed on his skull by Qrs i Foster and C. J. Campbell, with the I idea of relieving any possible pressure j that might have been responsible for liia remaining in low condition since March 26. Evidence showed deceased retired to bed about 11 p.m. on March 26th., and shared a room with another man named McDonald from Otira. Later in the night the porter at the Zetland Hotel found McAtavey in an unconscious condition outside the building below the lavatory window. His head suffered two wounds apparently through striking a tank. One witness found two footmarks on ,a seat in the lavatory, and also two hand marks on the higher sill. Deceased must have got on to the window sill in the lavatory and fallen. Dr Foster could not sav what was the cause of death. Coroner McCarthy ordered a post-mortem. At the inquest to-day a verdict was returned of death as the result' of injuries following, through his wilfully precipitating himself through a. window in the Zetland hotel.