Ex-All Black died after refusing to seek medical help - coroner

Former All Black prop Herbert Paul Sapsford who died after crashing his jetboat would have survived if he had received the medical attention he repeatedly declined, a corner said yesterday.

Regional Coroner Richard McElrea ruled at a Timaru inquest the 60-year-old Mosgiel dentist died due to internal injuries early on December 29, 2009, after the boat he was driving collided with a river bank the day before,The Timaru Herald reported.

He found that the alcohol consumed by Mr Sapsford that morning affected his judgment, contributing to the accident.

Mr McElrea said that Mr Sapsford thought he had only broken ribs from the impact of the crash and refused to seek medical assistance.

But a pathologist found that if Mr Sapsford had received medical attention after the crash, he could have had life-saving treatment.

"He underestimated the extent of his internal injuries and this has resulted in his death," Mr McElrea said.

- NZPA