FELL OFF GANGWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 250, 22 October 1928, Page 3

FELL OFF GANGWAY.

DEATH OF SHIP'S OFFICER.

PURELY ACCIDENTAL.

The inquest concerning the death of Victor Grant Allen, second officer of the SjS. Canadian Explorer, who died at the Auckland Hospital oa Saturday night as the result of injuries sustained when he fell from the ship's gangway on Friday evening, was held by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., this morning. Sergeant Angland appeared for the police, while Mr. Terry represented the owners of the vessel, the Canadian Government.

The third officer stated that Allen had been employed by the Canadian •National Government steamers for several years past. Hie relatives lived at Yamouth, Nova Scotia. He was a single man, 29 years of age. About eight o clock on Friday night witness, who was night officer, was in the galley when he heard the cry of "Man overboard." Rushing to the vessel's ?™? J 1 . 6 ship's carpenter had dived in to assist Allen. Witness threw a line and shortly afterwards Allen was brought ashore. The gangway was in its usual order, with a net underneath it. Apparently there was no reason why a man exercising care, should have fallen. Allen fell on the wharf and later touched a stringer before he struck the water. He was quite sober at 7 p.m. when witness last spoke to him. He was a steady, reliable and a man of sober habits.

Frank Voutier, carpenter on the ship, and Ronald Tideman, an apprentice who were walking down the gangway just behind deceased when he fell, then g r V< L evi , d6nce - 80111 that one of Allen's feet seemed to slip and he overbalanced. He tried to grasp the rope as he fell. There was a net under the bottom of the gangway, but Allen fell over too high up the gangway. Voutier dived in and assisted in bringing Allen to the shore.

Captain H. H. Sergeant, harbonr master, described the gangway as quite safe. It was the ship's own accommodation ladder. "This is the first time l have known anyone to fall from an accommodation ladder for 20 vears" added Captain Sergeant. ' After hearing medical evidence the coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from a fracture of the skull, caused by an accidental fall from the vessels gangway.