Police are preparing a file for the Blenheim coroner after the death of an elderly woman who nearly hanged herself when she rode her mobility scooter into a wire fence this week.
Beth Morrison, 83, a police officer's widow, died early this morning after becoming entangled in a
temporary two-strand fence strung between waratahs at the Blenheim A&P showground on Monday afternoon.
She had been exercising her dog in a place where she felt "safe".
Senior Sergeant John Butson, of Blenheim police, confirmed today police were investigating circumstances surrounding Mrs Morrison's death.
The case would be referred to the Blenheim coroner, he said.
Mrs Morrison's daughter, Marita Winstanley, told the Marlborough Express the mobility scooter rode over the bottom wire of the fence and her mother was caught under her neck on the top wire as the scooter reared up.
Peter Mackenzie, a passenger in a passing car saw what had happened, leapt the fence, pulled the scooter off the wire and called emergency services.
A St John Ambulance spokesman said Mrs Morrison was unconscious and not breathing when paramedics arrived. She was resuscitated and taken to Wairau Hospital in a serious condition.
Mr Mackenzie said it was a "pretty horrific" scene.
Marlborough District Council staff erected the fence on the showground reserve to separate the Marlborough Farmers' Market site from the rest of the grounds.
Council assets and services manager Mark Wheeler said it was scheduled to be removed this week after the final market. He understood police investigating the incident had already removed it.
Mrs Winstanley said she was sure her mother hadn't seen the fence and she was upset it was there. People had contacted her since to say it was an accident waiting to happen.
Mr Wheeler said today the council had "sincere sympathy" for the family, but could not comment further until after the coroner's hearing.
- NZPA
