SAD FATALITY AT RAGLAN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 590, 7 December 1920, Page 2

SAD FATALITY AT RAGLAN.

A PUKEKOHE LADY KILLED.

(Special to the "Times.") \ A fatality under sad circumstances occurred on Friday afternoon last at Te Mata, about six miles from Raglan, the victim being Miss Sarah Easton, of Pukekohe. The deceased lady was on a holiday trip with a friend. Miss Nolan, of Sydney. Both Indies were the guests of Mrs. W. Phillips, of Te Mata, and on the day in question it had been arranged that the three ladies, together with mother local resident, Miss Maud Brown, should ride out to the Bridal Veil Falls, along the Kawhia road. A start v/as made early in the afternoon, and the party had proceeded about a mile when the sad accident happened. At the time Miss Nolan and Miss Easton were about 200 yards in front of the other two ladies, Miss Nolan being n a little in advance. Suddenly, Miss Nolan was startled at seeing Miss Easton dash past at a terrible pace with the reins hanging on the horse's neck. The animal disappeared ever the brow of a hill, and Miss Nolan followed. Upon reaching the botton, Miss Nolan was shocked to see Miss Easton lying on her back on the road, with blood issuing from her mouth, nose, and ears. The ether ladies came along, but Miss Nolan, who had dismounted, waved to Miss Brown to return home and ring up for medical assistance. Dr. Sanders was as quickly on the scene as possible, but at once formed the opinion that the skull was fractured, and that there was but little hope. A cai arrived, and Miss Easton was j placed in it, a start being made for the hospital. Dr. Sanders followed in his own car shortly after, but on reaching the Te Mata store found the other car stopped, the unfortunate lady having expired. The body was then taken to Mr. Brown's residence, where on the following morning an inquest was held before Mr. J. H. Clayton, J.P., acting-coroner, and a jury of four. The sad details as outlined above were elicited, and a verdict was returned that deceased met her death through a fall from a horse, no blame- being attachable to anyone. The horse ridden by Miss Easton was considered to be a very quiet one, and she had used it several times before, although she could not be termed a good rider. A pathetic feature of the sad affair was the fact that Miss Easton and Miss Nolan proposed to resume their tour on Saturday, Rotorua to have been their next stopping place.