POISON IN A WELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21245, 27 July 1932, Page 15

POISON IN A WELL

CORONER ISSUES WARNING NEED FOR DAILY TESTS Warning that wells in process of being bored should be tested each morning for the presence of poisonous gas, at least in the Wanganui district, was given by the district coroner, Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., during a.n inquest into the deaths of Robert Dunn Johnston and John William Johnston, junr. They died recently after being found unconscious at the bottom of a well which they were sinking at Matarawa, near Wanganui. A verdict was returned that Robert Johnston died on July 14 inside a well on tho property of John Johnston, senr., at Union Line, Matarawa, and that John Johnston, junr., died at the public hospital on July 15, tho causes being asphyxiation by inhaling foul gas, probably carbon monoxide, it the bottom of the well. Tlio deaths were entirely accidental. John Henry Johnston said that on July 14 his brother, who was working at the well, called out to him, and ori going over, he was informed that his.son was at the bottom of the well and no answer could be got from calls to him. llis brother was lowered into Hie well arid became overcome by the foul air. Mr. Harkness was then lowered into tho well, but had to be pulled out as he, too, was affected. Outsido assistance and medical aid were then sent for. Superintendent J. Williams, of the Central Fire Brigade, said that he was lowered into the well equipped with a gas mask. There he had found two men lying. He had been unable to see through tho gas mask hod lifted it for a, moment, inhaling some gas which was undoubtedly very bad. The two men had been hauled to the top of tho well. Dr. G. H. Robertson said that he had examined Mr. Harkness at tho top of the well and he still showed signs of gas poisoning. When tho Johnstons were raised to the top of the well Uie elder failed to respond to half an hour's resuscitntory treatment.- Tho younger Johnston was still breathing. Both were taken tp the Wanganui Hospital and when Dr. Robertson saw tho elder man there he was dead. He was of the opinion that death was duo to carbon monoxide poisoning. This gas would not rise from out of the' well and 1 per cent mixture with air would be fatal when inhaled.