THE OPUNAKE FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1920, Page 3

THE OPUNAKE FATALITY.

CORONIAL ENQUIRY. Mr. W. R. Wallace, J.P., acting Coroner, yesterday held an inquest surrounding the circumstances of the death of Warrick Winston Foy, aged 13 years, at Opunake on 21st inst. The following comprised the jury:—W. B. White (foreman), J. F. Murray, G. R. McLanachan, and P. McLaughlin. Dr. Thompson, medical superintendent, deposed that the deceased was admitted to the Hawera Hospital at 2.20 on January 21, when he was then unconscious. There was a blood-stained bandage about his head, and from the symptoms witness concluded that there was haemorrhage into the brain. Witness ordered deceased to be got ready for an operation at once, but the lad died before the operation could be commenced. Witness described the injuries to the' head, which had been dressed and stitched by Dr. Watt, of Opunake. The symptoms were those of a fractured skull, including the base, with haemorrhage, and this was the cause of death. Sergeant Henry: In your opinion, Doctor. the only hope of saving the deceased's life was by an immediate operation? —Yes, but it was a poor one. Would it have been better to have treated the case at Opunake?—lt would have been better had it been possible, but it is quite impossible to treat a case like that out there. The Coroner: This case would only bo treated satisfactorily in a hospital?— Yes. Witness added that operation cases could be treated in privaite houses if there were proper facilities. Evidence of identification was given by A. H. Foy. R. J. Campbell, farmer, Opunake, deposed that the deceased had been spending his school holidays with witness' father,. Samuel Campbell, at Pihama. The deceased visited witness' farm on the 21st inst, and came into the paddock where haymaking was in progress. Deceased got on to the rake about ten o'clock, and a few minutes before twelve the attention of witness was dTawn to the horse "pig jumping." The horse was on old, quiet farm horse, and he could not say what had startled it; tho wind was blowing very hard at the time, and it was quite possible that some loose hay flying about frightened the animal. Witness and others went to the horse's head, but before they could reach it, witness saw the deceased, who was hanging on to the reins and apparently standing up, fall; the wheels going round took him in front of the rake, but he never reached the ground. Deceased seemed to be hanging on to some part of the rake draggling on the ground, and at the same time he was swinging backwards and forwards on to 'he rake, striking it with his head. At (.his time the horse had got into a gallop; the speed released the deceased, and something tipping the rake, left him free. Witness went to the lad, where he found him unconscious.' Witness communicated with Dr. Watt, who. after dresa : ng the wounds, ordered the deceased's removal to the hospital. It was not usual for young children to drive the hay-rake, although it" the horse was quiet children were often permitted to get on the rake after haymaking was finished. The deceased had been on previously. No time was lost in securing a doctor, and in going to the rescue o£ the deceased. The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, and that no blame was attachable to anyone. They also expressed their sympathy with Mr. Foy in his bereavement.—Star.