PINE NEEDLE

Marlborough Express, Volume LXVIII, Issue 148, 25 June 1934, Page 6

PINE NEEDLE

DEATH OF CHILD. PENETRATION OF LUNG. An extraordinary cause of death was disclosed at ian inquest held in Waihi on Thursday before the coroner, Mr W. M. Wailnutt, into the death of Margaret June Holdaway, the four-year-old daughter of Pastor K. M. Holdaway, of Waimata, near Waihi. The post-mortem, as conducted by Dr F. G.' Barrowclough, showed that a pine needle had penetrated the lung, setting up a condition of broncho-pneum'onia, resulting . in death. In evidence th.e do-ctor stated that the child was evidently sucking a pine-needle and had accidentally, in gasping, breathed it into her lung. The presence of a foreign body would cause irritation in the bronchi, like asthma and croup. The evidence showed that the child became ili on Sunday last, and it was thought she was suffering from croup. The mother was siek at the time, and the assistance of -a friend, Mrs Elsie E. Vuglar, of Waihi Beach, was sought. She took eharge of and nursed the .child. About 4 a.m. on Wednesiday Mrs Vuglar was awakened by the child, who, upon being picked -up, died. Ocmmenting on the extraordinary circumstances of the case, disclosed by post-mortem, the coroner said they afforded a warning as; to the potential danger of pine needles. Returning a- verdict that death was due to bronchio-pneumonia, following the presence of a foreign body in the lung, the coroner expressed the sympathy of the Court with the bereaved parents.