DEATH AFTER ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3853, 4 October 1928, Page 3

DEATH AFTER ACCIDENT.

CORONER’S COMMENT. An inquest was held at Palmerston North yesterday into the death of Bernard Francis Spelman, aged 29, who was severely injured in an accident on the Asliburton-Raumai road when his motor cycle skidded and threw him in front of an approaching car, deceased dying later in hospital.

-Dr. Forrest stated that deceased’s injuries to the right femur were very severe and he was also suffering from shock. During an operation in the hospital when the bones were set and witness was about to insert stitches in the face lacerations deceased’s breathing ceased. Artificial respiration and the usual remedies were unavailingly applied. Death was due mainly to shock, but no doubt the anaesthetic contributed in some smafl degree. It was probable deceased would have died without the anaesthetic. Dr. Jordan, who gave the anaesthetic, said that after twenty minutes he became anxious concerning deceased’s condition, but thought it would be safe to proceed. Deceased stopped breathing after the bones were set. The Coroner, in his verdict, said the circumstances purely indicate that the occurrence was an accident. The actual cause of death was shock following severe injuries and accelerated by the administration of the anaesthetic. The doctor administering the anaesthetic made what the Coroner thought an error of judgment in continuing in view of the fact that the patient’s condition gave him cause for anxiety. According to the evidence there was severe shock, which might have caused death, but to this end the anaesthetic contributed in a minor degree.