FATAL ACCIDENT AT MOUTOA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 934, 22 December 1910, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MOUTOA.

LITTLE CHILD SUFFOCATED. A distressing and fatal accident occurred at Moutoa on Tuesday atteruoou, by which the infant daughter of Mr and Mrs Prentice lost her life in an extraordinary manner. It appears that the child was playing about the yard with her sister and brother, who were digging holes in the sand. Apparently the child tripped and fell into one of the holes, and being unable to get out, was suffocated. When discovered life was found to be extinct. Much sympathy is felt for the parents.

THE INQUEST. An inquest in connection with the above was held before Alf. Erases, Esq., District Coroner, at Moutoa this morning, when the following evidence was given :

Dr Adams stated that at about 5.20 on Tuesday he was called to Moutoa to see the child, and upon examination found life to be extinct. From appearances, he was of opinion that death was the result of asphyxia, caused by the face being submerged in sand. Ellen Matilda Jane Prentice, mother of the deceased child, stated in evidence that she last saw the deceased alive at about 4.30 p.m. on Tuesday, playing with the other two children, a boy aged six and half years and a girl three years of age. They were at the back of the house. Shortly afterwards the two elder children came in, and upon being asked where the baby was said they did not know. Witness immediately ran down towards the river, but could not see her, until the little boy pointed to a sand hole and witness saw the child with her head in the sand hole. Lifted her out and found her mouth was full of sand and she was quite limp- Endeavoured to get her round, but could not. Witness’ husband who had been sent for then arrived, and the doctor was sent for. The Coroner returned a verdict that the child died from suffocation, caused by her face being submerged in sand.