TRAGIC MISHAP
ATHLETIC OFFICIAL FATALLY INJURED
STRUCK BY 16LB HAMMER
Tragedy marred the Otago track and field war-time athletic championship meeting at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday afternoon, the victim being Mr Charles William Frye, a former National cross-country champion and noted long-distance runner. Mr Frye, who was acting as a track judge, was giving the competitors in the three mile race their lap times at various points of the track. The hammer throwing championship was being held at the same time, and Mr Frye, who was watching the runners along the back straight, apparently did not observe the other event in progress, being struck in the face by the heavy implement as it was falling, this being the last throw to decide the event. He received severe facial and head injuries and was conveyed to the Hospital by ambulance. He was placed on the dangerously ill list, and died at 11.50 p.m.
Mr Frye, who was 51 years of age and lived at 12 Council street, St. Kilda, had an outstanding record in amateur athletics, and for more than 50 years was a regular member of Caversham Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club teams in important cross-country competition. He represented that club at a time when its harrier teams included some of New Zealand’s greatest distance runners, his list of successes in club, inter-club, and championship competition being a most impressive one. He was cross-country champion of the Caversham Club five times, and represented Otago in t}m New Zealand crosscountry championship on 10 occasions, being always a most valuable and consistent member of the team.
His first appearance in a National event was made at Timaru in 1909 when a club teams’ race was held in conjunction with the New Zealand crosscountry championship, and on this occasion he ran as a member of the Caversham Club’s team. The following year he appeared in the Otago team and filled seventh place in the National race; he was eighth in 1911; and fifth in 1913. He won the New Zealand crosscountry title in 1920, was fourth in 1921, seventh in 1923, sixth in 1925, 20th in 1928, and 14th in 1929. He won the Otago cross-country championship twice, and the Southland title, as well as meeting with considerable success in important track competition.
Although opportunities for longdistance runners were not so frequent when he was in his prime as is the case to-day when championships are held over the full marathon distance of 26 miles, Mr Frye had much success in road races, and was credited with fastest times in both the Port and Modified Marathon road races. His interest in the sport did not lessen with the years, and he represented Caversham in harrier inter-club competition until a year or so ago. He did much to encourage and foster a love of long-distance running in Otago, and when marathon races were held on the Taieri invariably followed the competitors over the course by bicycle. He was always willing to pass on the benefits of his long experience and knowledge of athletics, and held most offices in the Caversham Club, including that of captain. His services were fittingly recognised when he was made a life-member of the club. Mr Frye had held various positions on the occasion of harrier events, but on Saturday he was acting as an official at a championship meeting for the first time.
Mr Frye served in the last war and he was also well known in musical circles, at one time heading a family orchestral combination. He is survived by his wife, four daughters and one son, and to them will be extended the sympathy of the many who admired his qualities of sportsmanship and endeavour.
The meeting to have been held by the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to-night has been cancelled as a mark of respect.
INQUEST OPENED. An inquest was opened at the Hospital this morning, Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., sitting as coroner. Constable Drake represented the police. Evidence of identification was given by Frederick Plant Frye, of Christchurch, a brother, and Dr. O. R. B. Pringle, a house surgeon at the Hospital, said that when deceased was admitted late on Saturday afternoon he was unconscious and suffering from a blow on the face which witness was informed was caused by his being struck with a hammer thrown during a sports meeting. Deceased’s injuries were a deep lacerated wound at the base of the nose, extensive bruising on the right side of the face, a depressed fracture of the right frontal bone, and fractures of the right upper jaw and upper nose. He was operated upon, but did not regain consciousness at any time after admission, and gradually sank and died, the cause of death, in witness’s opinion, being severe intracranial haemorrhage, following an extensive fracture of the skull.
The inquest was adjourned to a time and place to be fixed later. -Evening Star, 23/2/1942.
FRYE. — On February 21, 1942, at Dunedin (result of an accident), 42648 Private Charles William Frye, N.Z.E.F., beloved husband of Gladys Frye, 12 Council street, St. Kilda, and second youngest son of the late Charles and Florence Frye. Deeply mourned. — The Funeral will leave the residence To-morrow (Tuesday), 24th inst., at 2.30 p.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. —C. J. Thorn Ltd., funeral directors. -Evening Star, 23/2/1942.
LOYAL CAVERSHAM LODGE,
M.U.I.O.O.F., No. 6,464.
MEMBERS of the Loyal Caversham Lodge and sister lodges are invited to attend the Funeral of their late brother, Charley William Frye, which will leave his late residence, 12 Council street, St. Hilda, TO-MORROW (Tuesday), 24th inst. at 2.30 p.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. — A. E. Morris, Noble Grand.
CAVERSHAM HARRIER AND AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB.
MEMBERS of the Caversham Harrier Club and of sister clubs are invited to attend the Funeral of their club mate, Charles William Frye, which will leave his late residence, 12 Council street, St. Kilda, TO-MORROW (Tuesday), the 24th inst., at 2.30 p.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery.
G. L. AUSTIN, Hon. Secretary. -Evening Star, 23/2/1942.
SPORTS FATALITY
ATHLETIC OFFICIAL'S DEATH
NEED FOR PRECAUTIONS STRESSED
“I think that when a hammer throw is in progress there should be a complete clearance of the ground ahead. Some additional precautions should be taken for these events in the future,” said the coroner, Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., at the adjourned inquest yesterday touching the death of Charles William Frye, who died from head injuries received when he was struck with a 16 1b hammer during a hammer-throwing event at the Caledonian Ground on February 21 last. Deceased at the time he was struck was acting in the capacity of an official, the Otago amateur athletic championships being then in progress.
The Coroner also expressed the view that running events should not be held while hammer throwing was in progress. George Lake Austin, sports secretary of the centre, stated to the court that deceased was taking the quarter-mile times for witness, and had to walk 40yds after each lap. Events were being held while the hammer throwing was in progress, but no special steps were taxen to clear the ground in front or at tho sides of the throwing circle. Any athlete could compete, and it was possible for a competitor to make a mistake in tho direction of his throw. Officials who marked the throws kept a close lookout, but no one was deputed to warn people that a throw was taking place.
Mr Bundle: Does the accident not show that there is a danger with competitors taking part in a track event while the hammer throw is in progress?
Austin stated that tho accident showed the centre that a danger existed which the centre had not realised. A suggestion had been made for a forthcoming meeting that tho hammer throw be held after all other events were concluded.
Further evidence was tendered by Charles Kingsley Heaton (chief field judge), Robert James Henderson and Francis Arthur Orchard (field officials), Earl Sandford Wills (the competitor concerned in the accident), and by Constables Griffiths and Black. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from injuries received from an accidental blow from a hammer during a hammer-throwing contest at the Caledonian Ground on February 21. He expressed regret that a man taking part in a sports meeting as an official should meet his death so tragically. He added that he felt that there was no need for him to add a rider, as he was sure that the centre would take additional precautions to avoid such an accident in the future. -Evening Star, 10/3/1942.
DEATHS
FRYE. — On January 15, 1945, at Dunedin, Gladys Hettie, dearly; loved wife of the late Charles William Frye, 12 Council street, St. Hilda. Deeply mourned. — The Funeral will leave the residence on Wednesday, the 17th inst., at 11 a.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. — C. J. Thorn Ltd., funeral directors.
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