By Isle of Wight Observer
This account of the death of an elderly lady on Tuesday followed by an inquest on the same day, with a funeral arranged for the Saturday, contrasts sharply with the average 76-week delay before an inquest on the Island now – more than twice the average wait and the longest in the entire country. It appeared in the Isle of Wight Observer published on 4th June, 1921.
NEWSAGENT’S DEATH
RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT.
We regret to record the death which occurred under sad circumstances on Tuesday, of Mrs Mary Brown, 82 years of age, one of the oldest newsagents in Ryde, and who had carried on business for about forty years at 56 High-street adjoining St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. She was the widow of the late Mr H. Brown who pre-deceased her about five years ago and who in addition to working as a painter was for a long time verger at St. Mary’s to which church both he and his wife belonged.
It appears that on Thursday in last week she had a fall through tripping over her dress or mat and was knocked against the sink cutting her head rather badly. Her spectacles were found in the sink. She was alone in the house at the time, but managed to crawl to the front door and was heard moaning by a Mrs Gavin who rendered assistance and Dr. Preston was called. She apparently recovered and ate a good dinner on Sunday but in the afternoon she complained of a violet pain in the head. Dr Mackenzie was sent for in Dr. Preston’s absence and she was given treatment. She became worse was seized with an apoplectic stroke which proved fatal and she died at one o’clock mid-day on Tuesday.
The Acting Coroner (F. A. Joyce Esq) held an inquest on the body on Tuesday evening when deceased’s niece, Mrs Howard, identified the body and evidence to the above effect was given. Dr Mackenzie attributing death to haemorrhage of the brain accelerated by the accident.
A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was recorded.
A funeral is fixed for Saturday at 11.30 a.m. at the Roman Catholic Church.