FATAL ACCIDENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2030, 8 April 1890, Page 3

FATAL ACCIDENT.

A very distressing accident occurred at Temuka on Saturday afternoon. As Mr Scannell’s engine, drawing a combine and cooking galley, was proceeding _ through the main street several little boys got upon the galley for a ride. Among these was Albert Nicholas, a little fellow aged five years, the youngest son of Mr N. 0. Nicholas. It appears that he was riding upon the draw bar of the galley by himself, and from his position unobserved either by the employes of the machine or by his mates. Apparently he fell off when nearing the road leading to his father’s house, and one wheel of the galley passed over his head, fracturing the skull. He was picked up by the cook at the machine, who was in the gallev, and carried into Dr Hayes’s residence. A very brief examination showed that death must have been instantaneous. The greatest sympathy is felt for his bereaved parents, for the lad was of a bring and engaging disposition. No blame is attached to the driver of the engine.

INQUEST. The inquest took place at the Courthouse on Monday morning, before K. E. Gray, Esq., acting Coroner. The following jury were empanelled : —Messrs Brewer, E, Williams, W. Storey, W. McLeod, M. McAteer, and A, W. Gaze. Mr Brewer was chosen foreman. The evidence was as follows: John Young : I am a cook in the employ of Mr M. Scannell, threshing machine proprietor. I remember passing through Temuka on Saturday, the sth inst. A little boy cried out, “ Look at that.” I looked, and saw the body of a little boy lying on the road about a chain distant. I ran to the body and then to Mr Scannell, who was driving, to stop the engine. There were then no signs of life. I went back again, and picking up the body took it to the residence of Dr Hayes, which was quite near.

By the Foreman: Did notice any unusual jerk. By a Juror: There are always some boys who get a ride inside the galley, or sit on the step outside, when we are travelling. John Shaw Hayes: lam a duly qualified medical practitioner, residing at Temuka. On Saturday I was called to see a boy who was injured by a traction engine. I arrived at the front door of my residence as the boy was carried in from the road. I had him brought into the house, and examined him. He was quite dead then. There was a large wound on both sides of the head, larger on the right side. The skin was torn from the upper and right side of the head down to below the joint of the jaw. The skull was broken in several places. Fracture of the skull was the cause of death. I questioned the naan who brought the body in as to the cause of the accident, and subsequently went to see how it occurred. I saw blood on the near hind wheel of the galley. My own idea is that the boy was riding on the draw-bar, and, slipping off it, fell, the wheel of the galley going partially over him, inflicting the injuries described. Death would be instantaneous. I recognised the boy as Albert Nicholas,

Robert Pinckney, accountant, residing at Temuka: On Saturday last I passed Mr Scannell’s engine on my bicycle. As I passed the galley I noticed Albert Nicholas getting up from the road about ten yards behind the galley, from which he had evidently fallen. I then passed on. About three minutes afterwards I heard the little boy had been run over, I measured the distance from where I first saw him to where the accident happened, and found it about 80 yards.

Frederick Eadford : I live with my father at Temuka. I know the deceased Albert Alfred Nicholas. He was my cousin. I was standing opposite Mr Davey’s on Saturday last, and saw deceased sitting on the drawbar of the galley, which was passing along the main street. I saw him fall off. He lay down flat on the road, and the galley passed over him. He got up, and ran after the galley again. He passed on the side of the galley farthest from me. He was then out of my sight. He did not appear to be hurt then.

Mr Seanuell, the proprietor of the engine, desired to state that the greatest difficulty was experienced in keeping children off the engine. On that day he had put at least a dozen off prior to the accident occurring. He wished parents would caution their children to that effect.

N. C. Nicholas, livery stable keeper at Temuka, said: I was the father of deceased, who was four years and four months old. I was called from my stable on Saturday, and went to Dr Hayes’s residence, and found my son lying dead upon the sofa. I last saw him alive at about 8 o’clock. A verdict of “ Accidental death,” in accordance with the medical evidence, was returned.