A jury of seven was empanelled, of whom Mr Nicholas was chosen foreman. James M'Gaughey, a farmer, identified the body of the deceased (his brother-in-law), who was about 53 years of age.
Thomas Linton, another farmer of Upper Piper, deposed— - On the 28th May he was driving a dray from Launceston to the Piper, and the deceased was driving another dray behind him. Soon after entering Rocher's-Lane deceased's team passed him at a smart trot, he did not see deceased with the horses, but heard him call for him to go back. Deceased was about two chains behind coming on his hands and knees. He was then picked up and put in dray, and was left at Smilie's Hotel.
Deceased said he was badly hurt, and as he was sitting on the shafts the horses made a start to trot ; he jumped off to stop them, and falling back the wheel ran over him. There were no reins on the shaft horse, but a set on the leader. Deceased was quite sober.
Dr. L. G. Thompson deposed to having admitted the deceased to the hospital on the 29th May. He was suffering from shock, being greatly chilled, and complained of pain in the neighborhood of the left hip. An examination proved that the pelvis was fractured and broken. Three hours after he began vomiting, and it was evidence that he had ruptured the intestines. He scarcely rallied, and shortly after 10 am. on the 30th he died.
Deceased told witness that a runaway team had knocked him down, and the cart, in which was a chaffcutting machine, had passed over his hip and across the abdomen. The cause of death was from shock owing to serious injuries received.
Robert Smilie, of the Junction Hotel, deposed deceased was taken to witness' house on Tuesday evening last, between 7 and 8 o'clock. He seemed in a very low condition, and could not move. Witness brought him into the hospital the following day. Deceased said he was riding on the shaft of the dray on account of the chaffcutter. He had taken the reins off the shaft horse to tie the chaffcutter. He said the horses took fright and bolted, and in jumping off he missed his footing and fell, and the wheel passed over him. He was perfectly sober when he was brought to the hotel.
The jury immediately returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."
INQUEST. (1889, June 1). Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928), p. 3. Retrieved June 9, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150339833