Alfred Press, (1871-19/11/1891). "despite the utmost care"

A Racing Accident.

Injury to a Greytown Lad.

[By Telegraph.] (From Our Own Correspondent.) Christchurch, Thursday. 

Alfred Press, the jockey who met with a serious accident in the Metropolitan Stages yesterday, is a Greytown lad, and about two years ago was employed by Mr Fabian, hotel keeper there. The boy's skull was fractured, and last night little hope was given of his recovery. Press had already ridden in several races at this meeting, and also in the N. Z. Cup. He came in first in one event, but in the Cup his horse Dilemma was last.  -Wairarapa Daily Times, 12/11/1891.

Accident to a jockey. — The accident to A. Press, the jockey who was thrown from May in the Metropolitan Stakes yesterday, turned out to be of a very serious nature. The lad was at once attended to by Dr. Lomax-Smith, who had him taken as quickly as possible to Mrs Rowan's Nursing Home. On examination if was found that the skull had been fractured in two different places, and portions of bone had been driven in upon the brain. Dr. Lomax-Smith, assisted by Dr. Prins, performed the operation known as trepanning and was successful in removing two or three large splinters, which were wedged in the brain. The fracture, however, was so extensive, and the brain is so seriously injured, that but little hope is held out of lad's recovery.  -Press, 2/11/1891.

Death of a Jockey. — Despite the utmost care in the matter of medical attendance, the jockey, Alfred Press, who, it will be remembered, was hurt in the Metropolitan Stakes by the falling of the mare May, which he was riding, gradually sunk and died yesterday. An inquest was held last night at Mrs Rowan's Nursing Home, before Mr Richmond Beetham, Coroner for the district, and a jury, of whom Mr Frank Fletcher was foreman. The evidence of Dr. Lomax Smith, who attended the deceased at the racecourse and subsequently, and Mr W. C. Webb, the owner of the horse, together with the constable who removed the deceased on an ambulance stretcher, was taken. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," the evidence going to prove that the deceased died from concussion of the brain. Great regret is felt at the decease of Press, as he was a well-conducted quiet lad and was generally liked.  -Press, 20/11/1891.

THE Friends of the late Alfred Press, the jockey, are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, to leave the residence of Mrs Rowan, No. 24 Durham street south, This Day, at Half-past Two o'clock, for the Riccarton Cemetery. 

H. SCRIMSHAW. Undertaker, No, 41 Durham street South. Telephone No. 430.  -Press, 20/11/1891.

The funeral of the late Alfred Press, the jockey who sustained fatal injuries at the late C.J.C. races, took place yesterday afternoon at the Riccarton Cemetery. The funeral was a large one; about twenty carriages followed the hearse. Several floral crosses and wreaths were placed on the coffin. Young Press was highly esteemed by all who knew him. The inhabitants of Riccarton especially held him in high esteem as an exemplary straightforward and honorable youth, and his untimely death is much regretted.  -Press, 21/11/1891.

St Peters Churchyard, Christchurch.