Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

KOORINGA.
[Correspondent.]
Thursday, September 7.
An inquest was held at the Miners' Arms this
morning before W. H. Ohalloner, J.P., and a Jury
of fourteen — Mr. James Pearce acting as Foreman — on
the body of Carl Wimmer, who was found dead at
the Burra Mine yesterday.
Henry Benton deposed — I am a miner and live at
Kooringa, and work at the Burra Mine. I knew
the deceased Carl Wimmer. I left him yesterday
about a quarter past 12 o'clock at the strakes at the
Burra Mine at his work. Went to my dinner;
returned at 1. When I came back I saw him in the
water and mud. I jumped and caught him up.
Thought he was dead, and called John Bodinner.
We took him into the smith's shop, and went for his
brother. I have been in the habit of working near
deceased for two years. He was subject to fits, and
had them a great many times. He fell into the water
about 15 months ago, and fell with his head into a
catch pit. I have not known him to have a fit for
the last six or seven weeks. There was about eight
or nine inches of water and sand where he fell. His
mouth was right down into the sand when I first
saw him.
John Bodinner — I am a miner, and live at Kooringa,
and work at the Burra Mine, I knew deoeased.
Yesterday at 1 o'clock, when I came back from dinner
I heard last witness call me. I looked and saw
Benton taking deceased up from the ground. I ran
to his assistance. When I got to him I supposed
deceased was quite dead. We took him to the
smith's shop, and made the alarm in tbe mine. The
doctor was sent for. I was working near deceased.
Did not notice that deceased was poorly yesterday.
T. W, Oorbin — lam a duly qualified medical prac
titioner. I was sent for to come to the mine yester
day, about 1 o'clock. I found deceased lying on the
floor of the smith shop. He appeared to be dead.
There was no pulsation of the heart or wrist, and he
was not breathing. I administered brandy, and per
formed artificial respiration 50 minutes. There vi as
no sign of life. I suppose he died from drowning.
It is very unusual for a person to die in an epileptic
&t. If he fell in the water whilst in a fit he would
be insensible and unable to help himself. I noticed
a mark on hiB chest. The bruise might have been
caused by bis falling on his chest when in a fit.
Verdict, deceased died from drowning whilst in
an epileptic fit, to which he was subject.
It seldom happens that one accident takes place
alone, and I am sorry to say that another serious
accident has occurred at the mine to-day to a miner
named William Prior. He was working in company
with several other men at the lobby, when a quantity
of stuff came away, and a rock or stone came in
contact with his left knee, thereby severely cutting it.
At first it was thought that tbe leg was broken, but
I am happy to state that on enquiry I find that it is
only severely cut.
$