ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 10

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Press Association. MAORI KILLED BY MOTOR. AUCKLAND, February IS. A Maori named Keihana, aged seventy, was knocked down by a motor car on a road near Taupo. He walked home, but subsequently expired. DROWNED WHILST BATHING. NAPIER, February 18. Robert Carr, aged twenty-one, a single man, was drowned in the Tutaekuri river this morning whilst bathing. Deceased could not swim, and got into a hole. The body was recovered by another man named Hanlon. ‘Deceased was a new arrival from the Uld Country. FIREMAN MUTILATED. GISBORNE, February 18. , A fireman on the Matatua, named) Thomas John Owens, had the fingers, of both hands mutilated this morning, through being caught by a wire ropei tunning through a block. DUNEDIN, February” 18. An inquest on the body of John McLennan. aged twenty-eight, who died 1 yesterday as a result of injuries sustained at Patearoa on February Ist,; was held to-day. The medical evidence showed that when deceased was admit-, ted to the hospital on 6th inst. he was suffering from double fracture of the lower jaw, which was in a septic, state. There was also a large inflammatory mass on the right side of the neck, and bruises about the upper parts of the chest. He was placed under the charge of Dr Pickerill, and an operation was performed. The condition of the parts affected was extremely septic, and from the continued absorption of poisonous matter ho gradually became worse and died as a result of septic poisoning. Deceased was unable to speak distinctly and nothing could be learned from him as to how he received the injuries. The cavity of the mouth was in a continually septic state, and owing to the nature and location of the wounds it would be very difficult to keep them in an antiseptic condition. The coroner said that it was unfortunate that no one had seen the accident, but there was no doubt if was I a pure accident and no blame was at-1 tached to anyone. ■ He would find a' verdict in accordance with the medical testimony. Two rather serious motor-cycle accidents occurred in the city yesterday. Just after alighting from the freight car at Thorndon in the morning, iCharles Chapman, of the tramways debarkment, was knocked down by a passing motor bicycle and suffered a compound fracture of the left leg. His left wrist was also broken and one of his eyes was badly cut. The injured !man, who is married and resides in Waripori street, was taken to the hospital. The second accident happened late in the afternoon. An insurance agent named William Matthews, employed by the A.M.P., was attempting to cross Courtenay place near the Gas Company’s_promises, but he noticed an oncoming tramcar and tried to avoid it. At the same time a motor cycle, driven by Lewis Silver, of Hay street, Oriental Bay, was coming towards him. As there were a number of people about Silver was not travelling at a fast speed. He sounded the horn, but evidently Matthews did not hear it, and the machine bumped into him. Matthews was knocked down, and on being picked up was taken to the Albion Hotel, where Dr Collins attended him. It was found that he had received three small scalp wounds which required stitching. Silver suffered a slight cut over the right eye, and this had to be stitched. Matthews is sixtyeignt years of age, and resides at 17, Pirie street. He was removed to the hospital.