TWO MEN KILLED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 30, 15 November 1943, Page 4

TWO MEN KILLED

. FATALITY IN A QUARRY. APPARENTLY AT SAFE POINT. OTHERS HAVE NARROW ESCAPE. (P.A.) OAMARU, This Day. Two men lost their lives as a result of a blasting accident in the Oamaru Harbour Board’s quarry to-day, both being struck by a flying rock Avhich also severely damaged nearby sheds and quarry equipment. The men Avere:

Mr Frederick John Maynard, (A Farnham Street, Oamaru, a married man with three children, employed as an inspector by the Waitalci Electric PoAver Board. Mr Allan Mclntosh, of Hull Street, Oamaru, a married man with threechildren, employed by the Harbour Board.

Mr Maynard A\ r as killed instantly, receiving injuries to his head, and Mr Mclntosh, At-hose spine Avas stated to have been fractured, died on the Avay to the Public .Hospital. The charge, comprising lOOOlbs of explosives, Avas fired by electricity from a point approximately 150 yards from the quarry face. Messrs Maynard and Mclntosh Avere engaged in the actual operation of firing and although in a slit trench and behind a line of raihvay trucks, Avere- struck by flying rock Avhich apparently blew out ill an almost straight line. Mr Maynard, after connecting the power supply for the firing of the shot as is customary, remained at the firing point to make certain adjustments.

Three members of the quarry staff who Avere sheltering in the cabin of a locomotive approximately 100 feet behind the firing point, had a fortunate escape from injury as several large pieces of rock struck the engine, one shearing off the steam valve.

It is understood that the faulty nature of the rock behind the face of the quarry caused the main force of the charge to be directed outwards, Apart from the Coroner’s inquest there will be a Mines Department inquiry into the cause of the accident.