SUDDEN DEATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1158, 14 October 1913, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH.

RESIDENT EXPIRES WHILE FISHING. A resident of Foxton, Mr William Edgar, died very suddenly at about ix.ls o’clock on Sunday morning. He was netting whitebait, and whilst holding the pole of his net, fell backwards and immediately expired. Messrs C. H. Podmore and W. Hart were present at the time, and had been conversing with the deceased just previously. They tried artificial respiration, but without avail. The police were informed, and the body was removed to the morgue, where a post mortem examination was held yesterday morning. The deceased was about 40 years of age, and was a married man with two children, aged seven and three years respectively. He had been a resident of Foxton for about twelve months, coming here from Levin, and originally from the West Coast. He was a steady, hard-working man, aud much sympathy is felt for his widow in her very sad bereavement. THE INQUEST. An inquest in connection with the above was held before the District Coroner, A. Fraser Esq., yesterday afternoon, when the following evidence was taken : —• William Hart, fisherman, stated that, in company with Mr Podmore, he was walking along the river hank and saw the deceased, who set bis whitebait net in the water at the mouth of the Awahou creek. Witness walked up the creek to see if there were any whitebait going up. He walked about a dozen yards from deceased, aud on turning round to speak to him saw him lying back. He asked what was the matter, but got no answer. Witness thought deceased had taken a fit, and called Mr Podmore. Deceased was then breathing very heavily, and shortly afterwards his breath ceased. Witness tried artificial respiration and deceased commenced breathing again, but after giving one or two gasps, expired. Previous to this, witness had sent a message for the doctor, and afterwards informed the police, who took charge of the body. Witness had known deceased for about two months. Constable Woods in evidence slated that he was called to the river bank at 11.20 a.m. on Sunday, aud saw deceased there. He removed the body to the morgue. Had known deceased for over two years, twelve months of which he had resided in Foxton. He was a married man with two children.

Dr Mandl, who conducted a post mortem examination on the body, said that death was due to heart failure, the result a rupture of an aneurism of the first part of aorta into the pericardial sac.

The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from a ruptured aneurism, causing heart failure, in accordance with the medical evidence.