ACCIDENTAL DEATH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 October 1931, Page 4

ACCIDENTAL DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST INTO LITTLE BOYS' DEATH ON FARM YOUNG BROTHER IMPROVING HAMILTON, Tuesday. The inquest-into the circumstances surrounding the death of Eric Wilson, aged three years, the. victim of the poisoning tragedy at his parents home at Silverdale, yesterday,. was opened this morning at the Waikato Hospital, when evidence of identification was taken, and concluded at the Hamilton Magistrate's Court, this afternoon before the. Coroner, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M. A verdict of accidental death, caused by the drinking of carbolic acid was returned. Evidence was given by Dr. A. G. Waddell, who stated that in response to an urgent call he visited the scene of the tragedy and found the child, Eric, lying on a table in a dying condition. He expired ten minutes later. The father, Archibald Wilson, said that the two children went out to play yesterday morning and apparently entered the work-shop close to the house. He was working on the farm and when he returned he noticed the. two children sitting on the house-step. There was discolouration about their mouths and they were unable to speak. Realising that something unusual had happened he immediately rang for Dr. Waddell, who arrived shortly afterwards. He later went to the workshop and found a bottle of carbolic acid, which was part of a cattle fever outfit, lying on the ground with the cork out and some of the contents missing. After the arrival of Dr. Waddell he took the younger child to the hospital. On his return he found the elder child dead. Witness added- that the children were playing about in the yard near him most of the morning. He had occasion to go into the workshop, neglecting't.o close the door as he came out. His wife noticed the children about the same time as he did and both saw that the little boys were ill. As Eric was frothing at the mouth his wife took him inside and placing him on the table, gave him an emetic of salt and water.