Fatal Accident.

Manawatu Herald, 22 October 1896, Page 2

Fatal Accident.

This morning as Mr James Andrew was going to the clay pit past Mr Austin's house he found a lad named Frank Battersby lying in the ditch on the side of the road whilst a grey horse with bridle on was standing close bye. Mr Andrews got off his dray and went to the lad and was shocked to find he was dead. He immediately mounted one of his horses and informed Constable Gillespie and Mr Hamer. This would be at 8.80. Ihe latter rode off at once and found he was dead. Constable Gillespie removed the body to his father's home to await inquest, and then informed the Coroner. We learn that the suggestion as to the cause of the accident i 3 that the horse the deoeased waa riding must

have stumbled in one of the wheel ruts in the road, and then fell pitching the lad into the ditch and rolled on the top of him. The discoloration of the head points to death from a broken neck. Daath had apparently been instantaneous: The hpvßQ had marks of blood on the oft hind leg, and the ground all round Tihe body was sprinkled with grey horse hair. Mr George Gray who employed the lad, say 3 that he had breakfast at his house at a Quarter to eight this moi'nitig, and was in the act of driving the cows back to the paddock when the accident happened; The deceased was ll years of age and is the second son of Mr E. Battersby;