ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 45, 28 June 1913, Page 6

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES.

An inquest was held at New Plymouth yesterday touching the death of Filbia Eileen James, aged 1 year and 9 months, whose parents reside at Inglewood. mother gave evidence that she left the child playing before the fire when, she went outside to cut some fireAvood. Hearing screams she returned and found the child’s clothing on fire. She endeavoured to smother..the .flames, and. then held the child under a tap. Aftpr being medically attended, the child was removed to the New Plymouth hospital. She had lost a previous child, death teing due to scalding, as a result of the child upsetting a saucepan over itself. " Dr. Walker, Medical Superintendent of the New Plymouth Hospital, stated that the child was brought to the hospital on Wednesday evening last, shortly after 7 o’clock. The case was hopeless from the first. The girl Avas suffering from extensive burns on the face, ears, neck, chest, abdomen, both arms, and both legs. The child Avas also suffering severely from shock. Death occurred at 12.30 o’clock next day, the cause being shock, as a result of extensive burns. A verdict of accidental death, in accordance Avith the medical evidence was returned.

A little girl named day, living at Te Roti, met Avith a most unfortunate accident on Wednesday afternoon. When chopping some Avood a piece. fIeAV up and struck her right eye, bursting the eye-ball. Dr Cooper Avas immediately sent for and everything possible has been done, but it is understood that the little girl’s sight must be impaired.

CAUGHT BY MACHINERY. The Patea Press • says;—Yesterday (Thursday) morning the blacksmith's ’ shop, at present under the control of Messrs Williams!, Duffy and Catanach, was the scene of a narrow escape from fatal injury. It appears that Mr Owen Williams, a number of’the firm, was engaged in drilling a piece of steel at the maclcne drill, when adjusting the swiftly moving machinery to obtain increased power./ his leather apron became entangled in the wheels. The apron was wnirled round, and its owner, , striving 'desperately hut vainly against overwhelming power was being drawn against the fatal machinery.' Just in time his plight was observed by Fred Cunningham, an employee of the firm, who with great presence of mind dashed towards the helpless man and cut the apron. The release was timely, as in another few seconds it would have com© too late. Cunningham deserves some commendation for the nerve he displayed.