Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918)(about) |
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Saturday 29 April 1876
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2 corrections, most recently by jhempenstall - Show corrections
CORONER'S INQUEST.
A coronial inquiry was held yesterday by Mr.
Cogdon P.M., at Gaff's Extended Hustler's
Hotel, Ironbark, on the body of a boy named Richard Patrick Atkins, who was killed on the previous afternoon by a fall from a springcart
whilst it was it was in motion in Pall Mall.
Alby Wren, being the first witness, deposed that he was driver for Peel Brothers, of Sand- hurst, and on Thursday was driving their cart down Pall Mall. The deceased was sitting by witness's left side, when a link in the chain trace gave way, and the horse made a sudden start. Deceased said, "What is the matter?" and witness replied "the chain has broken." The horse at that moment bolted, and witness did not miss the deceased from his place till he pulled up. Then witness was informed that he had fallen off, and had been carried into the Freemason's Hotel. The next that witness saw of the deceased was when he was removed into a cab, and he seemed to witness to be then alive, for he moved his head and arms slightly. Wit- ness had driven that horse for ten months, and had found him always quiet. Witness har- nessed him to the springcart himself, and it ap- peared to be in good order. The deceased was told to go with witness on business.
William Clark next deposed that he was a commercial traveller, and resided at Grosvenor- street, Simpson's road, Melbourne. On Thurs- day, between twelve and one o'clock afternoon, he was passing along Pall Mall, and saw the deceased and last witness in a cart going at a gentle trot, when suddenly the horse began to run. Witness then saw the deceased jump
down from the cart, and fall immediately on his back. Some persons came up then, and assisted witness to carry him into the Freemasons' Hotel. The deceased was unconscious from the first. Dr. O'Grady arrived 0n the scene in less than ten minutes after the accident.
Richard Atkins deposed that he was a mining speculator, and resided at Sandhurst. The de- ceased, Richard Patrick Atkins, was his son. He was born at Sydney fifteen years ago last March. On Thursday morning he left their house in Anderson-street, Ironbark, in good health, and when next witness saw him in the afternoon he was quite dead.
Thos. O'Grady deposed that he was a legally qualified medical practitioner, and resided at Sandhurst. At about twenty minutes past twelve o'clock noon on Thursday he was called to attend the deceased in the Freemasons' Hotel. Found him lying on a sofa quite insen- sible, and foaming from the mouth and nose. A closer examination disclosed that the boy was suffering from concussion of the brain, and frac- ture of the spine. His pulse was scarcely per- ceptible at the time; witness directed his removal to to hospital, and he died on the way. Death was the result of the injuries described.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance
with these facts.