SAD FATALITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1922, Page 4

SAD FATALITY.

RUN OVER BY ROLLER

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLED

(Grey Argus). A very sad occurrence cast a shadow over the home of Mr and Mrs Frank McGirr of Elmer Lane on Saturday afternoon, when they had the misfortune, by a regrettable accident to lose their little son Thomas Stanton.

The accident happened at about 4.40 p.m. when Mr •). E. Walton was engaged in the process of rolling Victoria Park for the forthcoming sports meeting. The little boy was playing around the roller which weighs about 30ewt. and was, on one occasion, riding on the machine. On being told to get down the boy did so, and when Mr Walton last saw him. he was several yards behind the rollei. He (Air Walton) proceeded to lead the horse around, and had gone about 50 yards when his attention was Attracted" by the sound of a groan, and on investigation lie discovered that the little fellow had been ('aught in the roller, which had apparently passed over one of Iv s legs.

It appears that the hoy must have remounted the roller prior to Air Walton starting and had slipped forward, the revolution of the machine forcing his body through between the framework and the roller itself. His head was evidently caught in the framework, for when the lad was picked up his head bore signs of maltriticn and the skull was fractured. The unfortunate child appeared to ho almost dead when picked up by Afr "Walton, and by the time he was conveyed to Dr Mtvßrearty’s surgery, life was cpiile extinct. The caretaker of the Park; Air C has Watson, states that children are in the habit of frequenting the Park and playing around the roller when it is lieing used and on frequent occasion?) climb on the machine. An inquest will he Hold at 10 o’clock this morning. The parents of the deceased lad will have the ready sympathy of their many friends in the tragic affair which has overtaken their household.