TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 5 July 1926, Page 9

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

A CASE OF GELIGNITE. REPORT HEARD 10 MULES OFF. MAN HURLED A CHAIN AWAY. NUT EXPECTED TO RECOVER. (By Teie_r__h. —Press Association.) RAETIHI, this day. At the Public Works camp at Oreore, ..tuateii 1"J miies from Kaetibi. an explosion of gelignite occurred on Saturday by which Mr. John Louden, aged 7-3. was seriously hurt. The camp is situated in a lonely part or the district, and is composed of several encampments in close proximity to each other. Mr. Louden and bi~ son Robert were living at the camp where the accident happened. The men are engaged in widening the Parapara Road and were employed in quarrying work

at the time. Louden, senior, placed a case of gelignite before the cook's galley tire to warm, prior fo using it. Evidently it became overheated, causing the explosion, the report of which was distinctly heard even in Raetihi. The shock threw the son to the ground —he was in his tent at the time—and half stunned him He groped his way outside in search of his father and found lim one chain away, behind a Tarse felled tree, havins been hurled this distance by the impact. Tbe son rang tbe camp bell to attra-'t attention and r>ther men came and rendered assistance. A car was procured and the injured man taken to the Raetihi Hospital. The whole.camp wa* wrecked, roofing ■ron oem:. twistpd into all shapes. The son had a marvellous escape from serious 'njury. Mr. Lrvuden. senior, is in a very serious condition at the hospital, and is nor evpeorcl ro recover.