DEATH BY FOOTBALL.

Patea Mail, 18 June 1881, Page 4

DEATH BY FOOTBALL.

An inquest was recently held in England upon the body of a youth aged 19, who died from the effects of injuries received in the football field. Evidence was given to show that the deceased fell in a “ scrimmage,” and before the umpire’s cry of Man down” could be acted upon, the game being particularly hot at the moment, the men rushed through and went over him. The youth told his brother that at the time he felt something snap, and thought at first he was dead, adding that it was a pure accident. Two of the witnesses said they considered the Association rules more dangerous than those of the Rugby Union, under which the game was being played ; but the umpire was of opinion that the danger in each was equal. Dr King stated that the case was hopeless from the first, and that death was caused by congestion of the lungs, which always followed severe injury to the spine. The Coroner, in summing up, said the game as now witnessed was only worthy of a set of costermongers. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, suggesting some modification should be made in the rules which would admit of football being played with less danger, while not lessening the pleasure of those who took part in it.