William Harvey Mason, (1902-4/2/1917). "frightened the horse"

DEATHS

MAYSON. — On February 4, 1917, at his parents' residence, 9 Rapley Street, Hampstoad, William Harvey, beloved youngest son of Joseph Robert and Mary Jane Mayson; aged 15 years. Result of an accident.   -Ashburton Guardian, 5/2/1917.

ACCIDENTS & DEATHS.

A SHOCKING ACCIDENT.

BOY DRAGGED BY A HORSE.

Yesterday afternoon a sad fatality occurred in Ashburton, when a boy named William Harvey Mayson, aged 15 years, whose parents reside in Rapley Street, Hampstead, was killed by being dragged by a horse. 

It seems that deceased, in company with another boy named Norman Wardell, was grazing his father's horse in Albert Street. He was lying on the grass, and had the reins tied round his waist, when a passing motorcar, the occupants of which were Mr S. R. Kent and Mr T. Bullock, startled the horse. The animal bolted down the road, and dragged the boy for a quarter of a mile, when it was stopped by Mr H. Margetts, who cut the reins and released the boy. He was badly cut about, and was unconscious. Medical attention was obtained, and he was taken to his home, where he died a few minutes later. 

An inquest concerning the death will be held before a jury this evening.  -Ashburton Guardian, 5/2/1917.

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

TRAGEDY AT HAMPSTEAD. 

BOY DRAGGED TO DEATH BY HORSE. 

An inquest was held at Ashburton last evening touching the death of William Harvey Mayson, a lad fifteen years of age, who had met his death through being dragged about a quarter of a mile on Jones's Road, Hampstead. In the absence of the District Coroner the inquest was held before Mr W. W. White, J.P., and a jury of whom Mr J. McFarlane was chosen foreman. 

Evidence was given to the effect that the lad was grazing a horse on Jones's Road on Sunday afternoon. The horse had blinkers on. A cart rein was attached to the bridle, and the lad had the rein twisted round his waist. He was sitting on the side of the road when a motor-car passed. This frightened the horse, which bolted and dragged the lad for nearly a quarter of a mile on the hard road. 

The driver of the car stated that he was driving at the rate of about twenty miles an hour with Mr Thomas Bullock's car. Directly he saw the plunging he applied the brake and the car was brought to a standstill within about twenty yards. The horse first turned and galloped towards and past the car, and then turned and galloped in an opposite direction, still dragging the boy along the road. 

Henry Margetts stated that he saw the horse gallop by his house dragging the boy. Witness ran out after the horse and cut the lad loose. He was then unconscious. Dr Lyon was sent for but on his arrival the lad only breathed once.

Medical evidence showed that the skull was badly fractured and torn almost bare. There was also a compound fracture of the skull which had apparently been caused by the horse's hoof.   

A verdict was returned that the cause of death was a purely accidental fracture of the skull and no blame whatever was attachable to anyone.  -Lyttelton Times, 6/2/1917.

Ashburton Cemetery.