FATAL ACCIDENT AT SOUTHBRIDGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6510, 7 January 1882, Page 6

FATAL ACCIDENT AT SOUTHBRIDGE.

An accident, which resulted in the death of a man named John Shakleton, who was in tho omoloy of Messrs Bluett, Frankish and Co., Leceton, took place at Southbridge on Wedneiday evening last. He was riding to Leeston, and when opposite Flood's corner fell from his horse and fractured his soull. He was found shortly after by a man named Baker, who went for tho police. Constable Hole immediately proceeded to the spot, but found the man quite dead. An inquest was held at the Bouthbridge HotelonThursday, before Mr «. B. Willis, Coroner, and a jury of 16, of whom Mr Thomas E. Harbottle was chosen Foreman. Attor viewing the body, John Baker deposed: That he found the deceased at 8.30 p.n:. on Wednesday, abjUt 20 chains from Flood's corner, on Flood's side of the road, face downwards. H© called to him several times, but received no answer. Got off his horse and felt deceased's pulse, but could perceivo no pulsation. Put the body off tho track and returned to Southbridge for the policeman. Bo had a whip in his right hand when he found him. John Taylor : Aboufe k 3O P m * WBS in * formed that there was a man dying or dead at Flood's Corner. Spoke to Mr R. M'llraith, who had a trap, and got him to drive witness down. The man was lying on his back on (she side of the road. His legs were crossed. Bere was a sort of gurgling sound in his tftroat, and he coughed once. Witness opened the man's clothes and put hie ear to the breast and listened if it was beating, but could only detect one or two indistinct beats. Obtained some water and threw over the man, whom witness recognised as Mr Shakloton as soon as he saw him. Had only known him slightly previously. Had seen deceased a quarter of an hour before at Mitchell's Hot*'!. He did not get off his horse, and the*- had two drieks together. After the eeeond drink deceased seemed to feel the effect, but was certainly not intoxicated and quite capable of taking care of himself. He mov*d his leg slightly after tho water had been thrown over him. Had only known him a few months. Did cot know of his own knowledge, but had heard that deceased was subject to fits. From the time deceased left witness till the time he saw him on the road would be about twenty minutes. He brought a j-.essage for witness from Leeston, and delivered it correctly and distinctly. Witness noticed that ho had some trouble with his horse through having the bit twisted. This was made right by Mr Bui!. He was a bad horseman. Witness rode the horse to Lesstcn afterwards. It was perfeotly quiet. Deceased did not complain of feeling ill before ke left. Constable Hole stated: The first witness, Baker, came to him about 8.30 p.m., and reported that a man was lying insensible between Bray's and Flood's. Witness went at one* and saw deceased. Mr Taylor and Mr M'ltraith were attending on him. Witness felt to see if his heart was beating, but found no siga of life. A stranger brought his hor»e, and said he found him round the corner. Did not know the man, but arranged to met him in Mitchell's afterwards, but did not see him. Searched deceased and found a purss containing three £1 notes and some keys. He seemed to have fallen on the side of the face. Blood was coming from his nose. There was a bruise on point of forehead, but no blood issuing from it. Witness waited no time, as Mr Taylor and Mr M'llraith were in attendance, but started for the police at once. Dr Malony deposed that at about a quarter to nina o'clock on last evening Constable Hole came to his place on horseback stating that a man was lying at Flood's corner, either dead or dyiDg. lie offered to lend witness bis horse, but having one ready himself, witness galloped eff at once, and on examination found life extinct. Had made a post mortem examination of the body and found the brain axtremeiy congested, with a large clot of blood at the left aide of the brain. On removing the brain found that the base of the skull was fractured. Deceased was a vsry fuli-blcoded man. Witness* opinion was that deceased had a fit whilst on the horse and fell off and fractured his skull, which was the immediate cause of death. The symptoms pointed to apoplexy— certainly congestive apop'ex?". Witness neviT saw a more congested brain. Considered the blow on the forehead wss caused by the fall, which also fractured the skull. Death must hare occurred very shortly after the fracture. The deposed war not a patient of bis. The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence of " Accidental death."