BURIED ALIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 15, 18 January 1905, Page 3

BURIED ALIVE.

INQUIRY INTO THE FREEMAN'S BAY ACCIDENT. | An inquest was opened at the Criterion Hotel thisb morning before Mr. T. Gresham (city coroner) on the body of John Russell, who met his death at the site of the new destructor yesterday through the collapse of a trench. The police proceedings were conducted by Sergeant Hanson. Mr. C. E. Purchas watched the proceedings on behalf of the contractors (Messrs. Feather stone and Nicholls). Michael O'Brien, a friend of the deceased, said he was present yesterday at the time of the incident, which took place, as near .as he could remember, about 13 minutes to 12. There were five of them working on the trench. Tne trench was situated at the corner of Patteson and Drake streets, Freeman's Bay. They had been excavating on the previous day, and where RusseU wast working it was about 12ft deep, and 2ft wide. There was a scaffolding on top, and the sides had been timbered to about 6ft from the surface when the trench had reached a depth of about Bft. Witness was standing about 3ft from RusseU when the collapse took place. The deceased and his mate, Michael McClair, were buried. Jn witness' opinion the falling in was due to the fact that the men were moving the top set of scaffolding and putting it lower down. It is customary to move the first set before putting in the second or lower set. Witness did not know at the time he was engaged that the land was reclaimed, and did not consider that he was taking any undue risk, and would take on work in a similar place to-mor-row. There were about 4ft of earth over Russell's head when the trench fell in. The Coroner: "At what time did you reach his head?" Witness: "I could not say exactly." O'Brien said the other man, McClair,*was buried up to his neck. Russell understood such work as he was doing very well, and had the best oppoVtunity of judging as to the safety of moving the top set. He was a careful man, and would not take undue risks. There was no crumbling of the bank, and it fell without the slightest notice. To Mr. Purchas: There was plenty of timber suitable for "sets." Witness heard the contractors say to the men that they were to timber all the work if they thought it was necessary. Russell was a particularly skilful man in all work connected with excavation. The deceased's mate, Michael MeOlair, stated in his evidence that he had known Russell for about eight years, and considered him to be a careful and capable workman. Nothing whatever occurred to warn them of the possibility of the sides falling in. There was plenty of material for the sets, and they had directions from the contractors not to spare the timber. To Mr Purchas McClair said he had been a miner, and understood timbering and shaft work. He considered the job to be a safe one. Further evidence substantiating the statements of the former witnesses was given by Arthur Slade. Dr. Harding Porter said that when he got to the scene of the accident Russell was not uncovered, and when reached was quite dead. Witness examined the body, and was of the opinion that the cause of death was suffocation, due to the falling earth and a plank pressing on the neck and thorax. There was also a scalp wound on the back of the head. David T. Forsyth, inspector of works at the site of the new destructor, said he had had experience of excavations in reclaimed land. He arrived on the ground just as the accident happened. There had been four similar trenches I completed, and there had been no slip. There was doubt in his mind that proper precautions had been taken for the safety of the men. It would have been possible to put in the lower set of timbers before" the top set was taken out, only it would have been more difficult. Had he noticedthe men taking out the top set before the second was fixed he would have drawn their attention to it and stopped them. The. other trenches had been deeper, and had been timbered as usual, the sets being taken out as they were filled in. Without retirement the jury returned a verdict of ''Accidental death." The contractors intimated, through Mr Purchas, that they were bearing the coats of the interment.