SMALL BOY KILLED.
TRAGEDY IN KING STREET.
KNOCKED DOWN BY CYCLIST.
DEATH FOLLOWS HEMORRHAGE.
The northern end of King street was the scene of a distressing tragedy soon after dark last evening, as a result of which a little boy named Charles Francis Jopson, aged eight years, lost his life. The child was knocked down by a cyclist, and succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.
The accident occurred outside the deceased’s child's home, 839 King street, at about 6.30. The boy was running across the street when he collided with the cyclist. The latter stopped and picked the little fellow up. He was bleeding profusely from the nose and ears, but was quite able to walk back across the street to his home. His mother washed him and tended his hurts, and he was put to bed. After about two hours’ sleep the child awoke, and complained of terrible pains in his head. Dr Porteous was called in and ordered his immediate removal to the Hospital. The injured boy lost consciousness on the way to the Hospital, and died at 9.50, a short time after admission.
Though full details of the deceased’s injuries were not available last night, it is known that the cause of death was a hemorrhage of the brain, and probably a fractured skull. An inquest will be held to-day. There were no particulars in the police report last night in respect to the rider of the bicycle, who is unknown at present. Apparently he considered the boy to be not very seriously injured when he could walk back to the house. -Otago Daily Times, 10/8/1927.
IN MEMORIAM.
JOPSON. — In the loving memory of our dear son and brother, Charles Francis (Charlie), who was accidentally killed on August 9. 1927.
This day our memory lingers, On our dear one laid to rest:
But 'midst life’s trials and sorrows, We know God’s way was best.
— Inserted by his loving parents, brothers and sister. -Otago Daily Times, 9/8/1928.
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| Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. The donors' inscription would suggest that the shop where Charles lived was a fruit shop. |
KNOCKED DOWN BY CYCLE.
CHARLES JOPSON’S DEATH.
INQUEST CONCLUDED.
The inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Charles Francis Jopson, who was knocked down by a cyclist in King street on August 9, and died shortly afterwards, was concluded at the courthouse yesterday, Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., sitting as coroner.
Chief Detective Cameron represented the police.
Ivan Moore, aged 10 years, said that on the night in question he was playing ball with the deceased in King street. The ball bounced to the other side of the street, and whilst running to get it, deceased collided with a bicycle that was being ridden along the street. The cyclist swerved to try to pass, and then collided with witness, the result being that all three fell on the road. Witness got up and ran home, and the deceased was helped inside by the cyclist.
Stanley Hector Rogers, residing at 6 Montague street, North-East Valley, said that about 6.30 p.m. on August 9 he was cycling into town. After he crossed the King street bridge he saw the deceased and another lad playing near the corner of Duke street at the side of the road. Just as he came opposite them, they rushed into the middle of the road. Witness swerved to avoid them, but they both collided with him. One boy ran along Duke street, but the deceased got up and walked into the shop where he lived. Witness followed him in and asked if he was hurt, and later in the evening again inquired as to his condition. Witness was on his right side, and was about 10 feet from the footpath.
The coroner found that death was due to fracture of the skull caused by the deceased being knocked down by a bicycle.
“The evidence shows,” concluded Mr Bartholomew, “that this sad fatality was purely an accident, and that the cyclist was in no way to blame. He is, in fact, entitled to every sympathy. The evidence also stresses the danger of children playing in the streets and rushing out in front of traffic.” -Otago Daily Times, 16/8/1927.
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