ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 12

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

INQUEST ON CHILD CHOKED BY PEANUT A verdict that death was due to accidental asphyxiation caused by a peanut lodging in the throat was returned by the coroner, Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., at an inquest on Bernard John Dreaver, a child, aged 19 months, held yesterday at the Hospital. The police were represented at the inquest by Sergeant Sugrue, Evidence of identification was given by the father, Arnold William Dreaver. a motor driver. The child was given a sultana and a peanut yesterday, said the mother,. Ivy Kathleen Dreaver. She had previously given him such foods. The child appeared to choke and witness endeavoured to remove the obstruction, but pushed it further down his throat She then took him to Mr Thompson, across the road, and artificial respiration was attempted without result. Mi Thompson took the child to the Hospital, arriving there not more than 10 minutes after the first sign of trouble had appeared, but the child appeared to have collapsed. Thomas Thompson said that Mrs Dreaver had come to his rooms and said her child was choking It was then breathing feebly. While witness was trying to resuscitate the child a nurse was ringing doctors and Dr Russell advised immediate removal to hospital. Dr T. F, Miller, house surgeon at the Public Hospital, said life was extinct When the child was admitted al 3.3 p.m. Returning his verdict, the coroner expressed nis sympathy with the parents. YOUNG MAN INJURED Robert Urquhart. a young man who lives at Waverley. was admitted to Hospital at 8 p.m. yesterday suffering from concussion and an injured eye. While riding a motor cycle he collided with a truck.