DEATH BY BULLET WOUND

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1930, Page 3

DEATH BY BULLET WOUND

INVERCARGILL, April 15

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Harry John Fbley, a single man, aged twentyseven years, who- died on April 1 as the result of a bullet wound in the neaii, was held to-day before Mr it. U Levvey, Coroner.

Dr Richie Crawford said lie found deceased lying in the garden alongside a shed. He was unconscious and breathing heavily. An examination disclosed a bullet wound on the right side of the head. As the only chance of saving his life was to rush him to hospital, the doctor summoned the ambulance. The wound corresponded with a shot from a rifle, though he could not say from what angle it was fired. A rifle was standing up in the shed and close by was some cleaning gear. Witness understood that deceased died on his way to hospital. 'The bullet must have lacerated the brain, and it was lodged in the skull and death resulted from haemorrhage and compression.

Percy Wm, Foley, a brother, said deceased did not appear to have had any worries of any kind. He had been somewhat careless with.-his rifle on

previous occasions. ~ The Coroner found that deceased died as the result of a. bullet wound but.,that there-was no'evidence to show bow the wound came to be inflicted.