SUDDEN DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1928, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH

A sudden death occurred at the .Masonic Hotel. Bevel I Street, last evening. William Creughan, of Westport. an elderly man who had attended the jubilee at (Weymouth, came to Hokitika on Saturday night and stayed at .Mr Morgan’s hotel. He did not move about much on Sunday, Monday, or yesterday, and in the evening sat down to tea as usual. Alter tea he went out the hack, where he had an attack ot sickness, and collapsed suddenly falling oil his face. When picked up almost immediately after he was dead. Or Bail'd was. called as soon as possible. but could only pronounce the man dead, death being caused apparently by suffocation. A post mortem was held this morning and an inquest took place at 11. Id o’clock before the District Coroner (Mr Evans). Evidence of identification was given by Mr H. T. Parry, and as to the man’s death by Mrs Morgan, wife of the licensee. Dr Baird, who performed the post mortem, attributed death to asphyxiation caused through particles of food getting into the windpipe while vomiting. The deceased was 70 years of age and was an old age pensioner. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. Sergt. King conducted proceedings at the inquest on behalf of the police.