RISKED THEIR LIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 291, 9 December 1931, Page 8

RISKED THEIR LIVES.

POWER BOARD EMPLOYEES. RESCUE OF FOREMAN. BURIED IX HOT COAL ASHES. A trjbute to the brave action of-two employees of the Auckland Electric Power Board who descended into a bunker of hot coal ashes at the King's wharf power station in an effort to save the life of a fellow worker, was paid by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., and counsel yesterday afternoon at the inquest into the death of Sir. Harry Rosser Strong. Mr. Strong, who was 51, was foreman of the power plant. On November; 11 he tried to open a blockage in the ash bunker and took up- a position on top of the ashes. Se lost his footing and was practically buried in the ashes before being dragged out by Messrs.

Angus Finlaysdn and Patrick Keenan. Six days later he died in the Auckland Hospital. Counsel for the Auckland Electric Power Board said he had been asked to refer to the bravery of Messrs. Finlay son and Keenan. The board considered that these men could "not be too highly commended. In descending the bunker to save Mr. Strong they undoubtedly risked their own lives. The coroner also paid a ' tribute, to the men, ■ and said they had showed great courage and presence of mind. '•'I was on the stokehold floor. directly under the ash bunker," said Patrick Keenan in evidence. "I heard a cry from above and knew that somebody had fallen into the bunker. I went up to the top and saw Mi - . Strong buried up to his neck in hot ashes. Finlayson took hold of him by the arms and I held on to Finlayson, but we found it impossible to release him. I called out for a rope and also for the chute to be closed." Witness said the chute was open when they were in the bunker, but very little ash was running. Mr. Strong -was conscious but made no remark. He was in an upright position and was nolding a piece of piping. A rope was fixed to him and he was pulled up on to the platform. William George Phelps, superintendent engineer of the board, said the temperature' of the ashes into -which Mr. Strong fell would be about 160 degrees F. "No blame could be attached to anyone/' said the coroner, in returning a verdict of accidental death. "Mr. Strong was apparently a conscientious worker, but he was unwise in entering the bunker."