UNIQUE- FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1933, Page 2

UNIQUE- FATALITY

HALL FROM STRETCHER

iPer Press Association- Copyright.)

AUCKLAND, Ma y 24

“I do not suppose there has ever been a similar accident at the Auckland Hospital. I never heard of a similar occurrence in any -other part cf New Zealand,” said Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at the inquest into the death of Mrs Susan Elizabeth Warden, 'aged 80, who died at the Hospital. Mrs Warden, was admitted to the Hospital three days previously, suffering. from influenza. While being admitted, she, fell, from the ambulance stretcher, and broke her right thigh.

I “It has bes'ii a most unfortunate ,occurrence, hut it was accidental,” said the Coroner. “How it happened . is; not quite clear, hut the patient moved, and rolled from the stretcher. If the practice now being followed of having a hand of webbing over the bed had been in force, the accident would not have happened, but the j evidence shows that it was not conj sidered necessary to strap the de- | ceased in. The patient was suffering j from influenza, which subsequently dei veloped into double pneumonia. There | is no doubt her vitality was considered ■ lessened by the shock which she rej ceived through the accident. I do not I think there is any evidence of care- ) lessnei's on the part of those who were j handling her,” ) The Coroner returned a finding that i death was due 'td’heart failure, followj ing double pneumonia, accentuated by j the shock capjsed; by a fracture of the ! thigh, accidentally sustained, as she j was being removed, tp the hsopital.