Arnold Edward Thornicroft, 1899-9/6/1921. "I'm being electrocuted"

ELECTROCUTED.

(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 9

Arnold Edward Thornicroft, aged 2J2 was admitted to the hospital at 8 o'clock to-night, and died immediately after admission. There is evidence that deceased had come into contact with a high tension electric wire and been electrocuted.  -Ashburton Guardian, 10/6/1921.

Deaths

THORNICROFT. — On June 9th, 1921, (accidentally), Arnold Edward, beloved son of Anna and the late A. J. Thornicroft, of, Ravensbourne; aged 22 years. Private interment. — Frapwell and Holgate, undertakers.  -Evening Star, 10/6/1921

"I'M BEING ELECTROCUTED"

Man Receives Fatal Shock On a Car 

Inquest Adjourned. 

(From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) 

Circumstances of a most unusual nature were detailed at the inquest held on the body of Mr. Arnold Edward Thornicroft, 22 years of age, who resided with his mother at Ravensbourne, near Dunedin. It was explained that the deceased was a partner with his brother, Mr. George Thornicroft, in a motor garage and engineering business. At about 8-20 p.m. he was working on a motorcar, and using an extended electric light, when his brother, who was at the telephone about sixty feet away, heard him call out, 

"I AM BEING ELECTROCUTED," or words to that effect. Running to the car, Mr. G. Thornicroft found his brother being held up by Mr. E. D. McDonald, a fellow worker. He appeared to be unconscious, and was groaning. He was removed to the hospital, and died before arriving. Dr. Colvin, the house surgeon saw no marks on the body. 

Deceased was a son of Mr. Archibald Thornicroft (who died about a year ago), and grandson of Mr. George Thornicroft, who, many years back, had an engineering shop in the city. 

At the inquest George C. Thornicroft, motor mechanic, said that his brother had enjoyed good health, never had a serious Illness, nor seen a doctor so far as witness knew. In the evening, about a quarter past eight, they went to work, and deceased was on top of the chassis of. a motor-car doing some fitting work. Witness at first thought he was underneath, but he was really on top, doing a job. By the time witness ran to where he heard the cry come from, the other man had switched off the light and got him off. Witness tried on the phone for a doctor. but he was engaged, so witness got a motor and ran deceased to the hospital. The electric wire was

 A HAND TORCH on to the city installation. It was an ordinary bulb light such as one would move about in the hand. Electricians had examined the wires that morning to try to find out what went wrong. 

Dr. Colvin, senior house surgeon, deposed that he examined the deceased on admission, and found life extinct. He made an external examination of the body, but could find no external injury, except a little bleeding from the right nostril. From the history given he concluded that death was due to electric shock leading to heart failure. 

The inquest was adjourned til Thursday of this week.  -NZ Truth, 18/6/1921.

Anderson Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.