SAD FATAL ACCIDENT.
Young Man Killed.
It is with regret that we record the death of Connor Leslie, youngest son of Mr James Leslie, which occurred under very painful circumstances at Gibbston on Tuesday last. Young Leslie was engaged in rabbiting on Mrs Chalmers’ property, and in company with Mr Rupert Chalmers was working on some rough ground near Doolan’s Creek, about five miles from Gibbston. On Tuesday morning the men commenced work on a rocky face near the creek. They were working independently, and shortly before noon Chalmers saw Leslie about two chains away. Shortly afterwards he heard noise of falling stones, and on looking round saw no sign of the lad. After a short search he found Leslie lying near the bed of the creek, and the unfortunate lad had apparently fallen over a cliff about thirty feet in height. He appeared to be in great pain, and asked Chalmers to go for a doctor. Chalmers returned to Gibbston with all speed, and shortly after three o’clock a party consisting of Messrs Alex. Scott, W., J., and T. Kinross, J. and S. Cowan, and M. and W. Chalmers left for the scene of the accident. On arrival at Doolan’s Creek about five o’clock they found that the injured man was dead. Fortunately the relief party bad brought along a stretcher, and the body was carried by relays over very rough country, Gibbston being eventually reached shortly after eleven o’clock. Dr Brown, who had been summoned from Arrow, was in waiting, but he could only pronounce life extinct. Deceased, who was only nineteen years of age, was a bright, intelligent lad, popular with everyone, and the news of his untimely death cast quite a gloom over the community. He was a prominent member of the local Tennis Club, and also took a leading part in local concerts and dramatic entertainments. The sympathy of the whole district will be extended to the relatives in their sad bereavement. The funeral will take place to-morrow, leaving Gibbston at 10 a.m., and passing through Arrow about two o’clock.
The Inquest.
The inquest touching the circumstances surrounding the death of Connor Leslie was held at Gibbston yesterday before Mr Henry Graham (Coroner). Rupert Chalmers said that on 2lst August he was rabbiting with deceased on the property of witness's mother at Doolan’s Creek. He saw deceased about 11.45 a.m. He was then about two chains away. Witness heard a stone drop, and on looking round missed deceased. Shortly afterwards he saw deceased lying in the creek below. He considered that deceased must have fallen over a cliff about thirty feet in height. When witness reached the spot deceased was alive but appeared to be in great pain and was bleeding at the mouth. Witness remained with him for about an hour, and then left for Gibbston for assistance. Witness returned with several men and Leslie appeared to be dead. The body was conveyed to Gibbston on a stretcher, the journey occupying seven hours. William Howe Chalmers and Malcolm Chalmers gave corroborative evidence in regard to the finding of the body at the foot of the cliff.
Dr Edmund Ewart Brown said that he was called to Gibbston on Tuesday evening, and examined the body when it was brought in about 11.30 pm. Life had apparently been extinct for about ten hours. The principal injuries were about the head, and. there were a few minor abrasions on the body. Witness said the cause of death was a fracture of the base of the skull. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased met his death by accidentally falling over a cliff at Doolan’s Creek. -Lake County Press, 26/8/1915.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The funeral of the late Connor Leslie will leave the residence of his parents, Gibbston, on FRIDAY, 27th inst., at 10 a.m., for the Arrow Cemetery (passing through Arrow about two o’clock).
JAMES WEBB, Undertaker. -Lake County Press, 26/8/1915.
The funeral of the late Connor Leslie took place on Friday last, and was largely attended. The service at the grave was impressively conducted by the Rev. Father O'Donnell. -Lake County Perss, 2/9/1915.
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