Accidents and Fatalities
TIMARU, July 6. A fatal accident happened on the football field this afternoon. Tom Hertnon, a popular member of the Celtic Club, was making a penalty kick when an opponent (Star-Pirates) charged and stopped the ball which rebounded, struck Hertnon on the chest, and knocked him down backwards. The opponent in his rush fell over him. Hertnon was at once seen to be much hurt and a doctor who was present ordered immediate removal to the hospital, but he died on the way. Deceased was about 25 years of age, was a bricklayer by trade and was unmarried. He was a quiet, unassuming young man, recognised as one of the best three-quarters in Timaru, and one of the cleanest players. His death was a pure accident, the game having been played In a most friendly spirit. The game was stopped on news of the death reaching the ground. -Southland Times, 7/7/1911.
FOOTBALL FATALITY
ON THE ATHLETIC GROUND
CELTIC PLAYER KILLED.
A deep gloom was cast over footballers in Timaru yesterday and indeed over the whole community, when the distressing news was circulated that a footballer named Thomas Hertnon had died from injuries received on the Athletic Grounds. The deceased, who was 26 years of age, and a bricklayer by trade, was playing three-quarter back in the senior match Star-Pirates v. Celtic, he being a member of the latter team. The fatality occurred about twenty minutes after the start of the second spell, when Hertnon essayed to take a goal from a free kick. T. Lynch held the ball for him, and as the ball rose, a player of the opposite side rushed it down. Conflicting accounts are given of what followed, but to onlookers the ball appeared to strike the player on the chest, and rebound with force on to Hertnon, whom it struck in the pit of the stomach. He fell, and the man who had stopped the ball fell on top of him. It was expected that both men would be up in a trice, but Hertnon could not do so and lay on his back groaning. Dr Dryden, who was watching the play, was immediately in attendance, and had Hertnon carried to the pavilion. Seeing that his injuries were serious, he ordered his removal to the Hospital, but the young man expired just before reaching the institution. The exact nature of his injuries could not be ascertained last night.
The game is described as being a hard fought but not rough one, the teams being on the best of terms. Play was continued after the accident, as it was not thought the injuries were of so serious a nature, but immediately word was received that death had resulted referee and players left the field by common consent. The Coroner gave permission for the body to be removed from the Hospital to the parents' residence, and fixed the time for the inquest at 4 p.m. today.
Deceased was a well-behaved, hard-working young fellow, his conduct on the field being exemplary, and he was one of the most popular players in South Canterbury. To his parents, relatives and friends, deep sympathy will be extended.
The fortnightly meeting of the Referees Association last night was adjourned, without any business being transacted, as a mark of respect for the deceased player. A considerable number of footballers were gathered at Temuka, and the news of the fatality, received by telephone about 5.30, created consternation among them, expressions of deep regret at the loss of such a desirable player being universal.
THE REFEREE'S STORY.
The version of the sad occurrence given by the referee, Mr A. Shirtcliff, is as follows:—The whistle blew for for a penalty kick for offside play. Lynch was going to have a drop-shot at goal, but it was finally decided that Hertnon should take the kick. In taking the kick, he only went back about five yards from the opposing forwards, being really too close to get his kick in without being charged down. He kicked the ball, which struck the stomach of one of the Pirate's players, and then rebounded, to Hertnon, and off Hertnon to myself so that I had to sound "dead ball." Next moment, I noticed Hertnon on the ground, presumably winded, and after he recovered his breath, he commenced to vomit rather seriously. After waiting the prescribed time (three minutes) to find if Hertnon was fit to go on again, Dr Dryden decided that he should go off the field. From then, I knew nothing until, close on the finish of the game, word came from the Hospital that Hertnon had passed away, and the game in progress, and also the third-grade game on the No. 2 ground, were immediately stopped. I would like to add that it was really a fine game, so far as the spirit of the play was concerned, there being no semblance of roughness. It was an unfortunate affair.
APPRECIATION
Writes one who knew Hertnon well: "The members of the Celtic Club keenly regret the unexpected death of their comrade, particularly as he was one of the five senior players who left other well established clubs four years ago to help to get together a team for the senior grade. He was one of the model members of the club, and an energetic member of the executive and social committees."
The Star-Pirates Club have already subscribed for a wreath. -Timaru Herald, 7/7/1911.
DEATH OF A FOOTBALLER.
THE INQUEST.
By Telegraph—Press Association. Timaru, Last Night. At the inquest on yesterday's football fatality, the evidence of eight onlookers and of the man who charged Hertnon while taking a place kick all agreed that it was a pure accident. But there are various accounts as to what actually happened, some few saying that one or two players fell over the deceased; others denying or doubting that the ball was wet or heavy. Hertnon's kick was powerful, making a raw bruise on the chest of Carlton, from whom it rebounded and struck Hertnon in the abdomen with great force. A medical eyewitness attributed death to shock, and the coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. -Taranaki Daily News, 8/7/1911.
FOOTBALL MISHAPS.
SEVERAL PLAYERS INJURED.
(By Telegraph — Press Association.) Auckland, July 9. A young man named Frederick Strong, aged 22, was admitted to the Auckland Hospital yesterday suffering from serious internal injuries received while playing football.
Leonard Owen, aged 35, living at Newton, was also admitted to the hospital last evening, suffering from an injured knee, sustained during a football match.
Playing in the second grade Northern League match, Northcote v. Ponsonby, at Victoria Park, Malcolm Taylor, a forward player for Northcote, met with a nasty accident by which his arm was broken.
Timaru, July 8. The funeral of the late Mr. T. Hertnon, who was accidentally killed while playing football on Thursday, was attended by from 800 to 1000 people, the procession being nearly half a mile long. Footballers, and members of the Rowing Club, Hibernians, and the Builders' and Bricklayers' Union, with which Mr. Hertnon had been connected, turned out in strong force.
Dunedin, July 8. While playing in an Association school match between Mornington and the High School this afternoon, Athol Islip, of Mornington, came into collision with an opposing player, and sustained a compound fracture of the left leg below the knee. -Dominion, 10/7/1911.
FOOTBALL FATALITY.
FUNERAL OF THE VICTIM.
If evidence were needed of the esteem in which the late Mr Thomas Hertnon, (the footballer who was accidentally killed on the Athletic ground on Thursday last) was held, it was amply forthcoming at the funeral, which took place on Saturday afternoon, friends and sympathisers from far and near attending, and the cortege was an exceptionally long one. It was estimated that 2000 people attended to pay a last tribute of respect to the young man. Mr James Craigie, MP, was present, as were also two late employers of the deceased — Mr W. H. Hunt and Mr W. Werry, under whom deceased had learnt his trade. Many other representative citizens also attended. The funeral left the church in Brown street at half-past two, and the public roads in the vicinity of the starting point were lined with people. The funeral procession was headed by members of the Hibernian society wearing their green sashes, and over 100 strong. Then came members of the Celtic Football Club, members of the Temuka and Athletic Football Clubs who had come in specially to attend the funeral, next followed a strong representation of Timaru builders (to which trade deceased belonged), and following these, came the hearse on either side of which walked the four pal1-bearers — O'Brien, Courtney, Fitzgerald and Dalton — all members of the Football Clubs to which deceased belonged. Next to the hearse followed the deceased's father and brothers, and relatives of the family, and a spacious four-wheeled vehicle came next quite loaded with floral tributes. Then came members of the Star-Pirates Football Club then members of the Timaru Rowing club, then members of the Zingari Football Club, and behind those followed a long procession of people on foot and others in vehicles. Among those following were also representatives of the Rugby Union Referees Association, and the Mackenzie Sub Union. The route followed was Brown street into Stafford Street and up High street to the cemetery. The procession extended over more than the entire length of Brown street. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Father Murphy.
Many beautiful wreaths, both artificial and real, were sent, among those who thus showed their sympathy being the Mayor and Mayoress, the Celtic Star-Pirates, Zingari, Temuka and Athletic, Timaru, Temuka, the Main School, Timaru Boys' High School, St. Andrews Football Clubs. S.O. Rugby Football Union, S. O. Referees Association, Marist Brothers Boys Football Club, Timaru Rowing Club, Avoca Ladies Hockey Club, Hibernian Lodge, Mr W. Quirke (president of the Celtic Football Club), Hunt and Werry, employees of Hunt and Werry, South Canterbury branch of the Canterbury Bricklayers Union, Master Builders, and many others from personal friends.
MESSAGE FROM ACTING PREMIER
The Acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. Sir James Carroll, telegraphed to Mr Hertnon, senr., as follows— "I have just heard of the sad news of the distressingly sudden death of your son. I extend to Mrs Hertnon and yourself my sincerest sympathy in your great loss."
OTHER MESSAGES
The bereaved parents have received from almost all parts of the Dominion communications of sympathy, making a volume of letters and telegrams. Beside relations and friends, many others have forwarded messages of condolence, there being some from practically every corner of South Canterbury, and from Auckland, Wellington, Invercargill, Christchurch, Dunedin, the smaller centres and country districts. The Geraldine, Star Pirates, Athletic and Invercargill Athletic, football clubs communicated their sympathy with the parents. A perusal of the letters received shows how popular the late Tom Hertnon was. -Timaru Herald, 10/7/1911.
FOOTBALL
As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Thomas Hertnon, a member of the Celtic Football Club, who died from injuries received in a match last Thursday, the South Canterbury Rugby Union has declared all football off this week. -Lyttelton Times, 10/7/1911.
The half-yearly meeting of the local branch of the Hibernian Society was held on Monday evening, the president, Bro. Gillespie presiding over a large attendance of the members. The sick visitors reported only three members on the funds which was considered very satisfactory. A vote of condolence was passed with the family of the late Bro. T. Hertnon, all members standing. -Timaru Herald, 13/7/1911.
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