ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 60, 13 March 1915, Page 8

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES.

CHILD’S DEATH AT AN OPERA. TIOM. Pisit Piiess Association, Dunedin, March 11. , At the inquest on Noel Mercer, aged three years, who died under an anaesthetic at tne hospital yesterday prior to an operation, Dr. Roberts, who had hold a post mortem, said that he had found two conditions present, either one of which could have caused death. The first was status symphaticus, which could not have been diagnosed during the Hie of tlie child. The second was collapse of the left lung. He thought the latter condition was the cause of death, and it could not have been forseen or prevented. The Coroner found that death was due to pulmonary collapse, the result of vomiting when under the influence of an anaesthetic, rendered necessary for urgent and immediate operation.

The Manaia corespondent of the Hawera Star states that a serious accident befcl Mr James Nicolson, junr a farmer on the Alain South Road, on Wednesday afternoon. While ho was ploughing the reins been mo entangled, and while he was endeavouring to free thorn, one of the horses kicked him severely in the chest. When he was found, ho was removed to .Nurse Merrie’s private hospital, ami was attended by Drs. Noonan and Thomson. An examination showed that his ribs had been smashed in, and that ho had also received grave internal injuries. Latest reports indicate that his condition is critical.

Clarence Campbell, 10 years of age, son of Mr W. H. Campbell, of 377 Golucester Street, Christchurch, met with a very strange accident on Tuesday (says the Lyttellan Times). Ho had found some playthings in the stables, and was playing with them on the copper. Picking up a hammer, he struck one a sharp blow. The result was a terrific explosion. Part of the side of the copper was blown out, the top of the thumb on the hoy’s left hand was shot off, two of his fingers were badly wounded, and his face and neck were marked. He was taken to the hospital, whore the sisters and nurses attended to him. It was thought that lie had struck a cartridge of a pea rifle, but afterwards it was discovered that he had been playing with a detonator used for explosives. There were'no fewer than 25 of them, and Mr Campbell is making inquiries as to how they came in his stables