SUDDEN DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1922, Page 4

SUDDEN DEATH.

DUE TO HEART FAILURE. FORMAL VERDICT RETURNED. An inquest touching the death of Robert Turnbull, of the Haurangi district, who was found dead on Wednesday morning, was held at New Plymouth before the coroner (Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M.), yesterday afternoon. Sergeant Martin conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police. Andrew Turnbull, farmer, of Ackworth ■Roed, Huirangi, said the deceased was his father. He last saw his father alive about ten o’clock on Wednesday morning, when be appeared to be in normal health, there being no evidence that his heart was any better or worse than usual. He had been warned by the doctor in 1913 that he had a weak heart, and was told that he required to be careful. Deceased had received medical attention only a few months ago. About eleven o’clock, witness’ sister called him from his work ou the farm, that being tfie first indication he had that anything was wrong. He returned to the vicinity of the house, where his father was lying at the foot of the ladder that he had placed up besides some pinus insignia trees. He then appeared to be dead. The doctor was called, and came about an hour later, but could only pronounce life ex*, tinct. Sarah Turnbull, daughter of the deceased, said she had occasion to go to the back of the house about half-an-hour after her father, who had just finished reading the paper, had gone outside. She heard a call and then a thud, and on investigating found her father lying at the foot of a ladder. He appeared to be dead. Dr. Blackley, who was called in to Wtend the deceased, gave it as his opinion that death was due to syncope, caused by a sudden shock to an already diseased heart. The formal verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned by the coroner.