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Freak accidents lead to three deaths
View(s):Three people died last week in freak accidents including one on Elections Day, a coronor’s court was told.
On Election Day (17 August), Nimal Ratnayake 44, a father of two was fatally injured when a falling rock hit the threewheeler he was driving which crashed into a culvert. The victim was transferred to National Hospital Colombo where he died of his injuries.
Giving evidence at the inquiry into his death, Mr. Ratnayake’s wife said he was returning after a hire when the accident took place.
The Additional City Coroner confirmed that death was caused by brain damage as a result of the accident. Sergeant K.S. Ranatunge of the Veyangoda police gave evidence. In another incident at Horana, a woman died when she was thrown out of a moving lorry the door of which had not been properly secured.
At the hearing before the Coroners Court it was revealed that the deceased and her husband –the driver of the lorry- were taking a patient to hospital when she was thrown out of the vehicle unnoticed by her driver husband. It was only when a driver of another vehicle informed her husband of the incident he raced to the spot and rushed her to the hospital.
JMO Colombo, Dr. Joosari, confirmed death was caused by damage to the skull. Inquirer into sudden death Ashroff Rumi pronounced death was caused by profuse bleeding from injuries sustained by the fall. Police constable Dhanawardena of the Matugama police assisted in the post mortem.
In another freak accident last week, a 32-year-old patient at the Teaching Hospital for Mental Health in Angoda choked to death while eating a slice of bread. He was rushed to the Colombo National Hospital where he died despite efforts to resuscitate him.
Mr. Rumi JMO issuing an open verdict said death was caused by a blockage in the respiratory system.