BOMB GOES OFF IN BOY’S HAND

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13244, 21 January 1941, Page 2

BOMB GOES OFF IN BOY’S HAND

Frightful injuries Avere received by a 12-year-old boy when a homemade bomb exploded in his hands in the basement of the Womerahavenue public school. King’s Cross, this afternoon. The victim, Jack Russell of King’s Cross, is in St. Vincent’s Hospital. He is not expected to live. The accident occurred about 1 p.m., the explosion being heard by residents half a mile away. Russell, with two other boys, Avas plaving in the grounds of the school Gordon Collins (13), of King’s Cross-road, one of the trio, said that Russell Avas carrying an aluminium tin containing potassium chlorate and sulphur. They Avere Avalking through the low-ceilinged basement Avhen there was a terrific explosion. Both of Russell’s hands Avere bloAvn off, and his body, face and legs Avere badly injured. “A Game Kid” Collins, Avho Avas AA’-alking beside him, escaped Avith only a feAv superfiial burns to his left hand and left side. Late this afternoon Det.-Sgt. Millgate, Detective Stehr and members of the Avireless patrol had not located the third boy. Within a feAV seconds of the explosion hundreds of residents rushed to the school gate as dense clouds of smoke poured from the basement. Mr R. F. Osborne, of Little Weststreet, King’s Cross, Avas about 100 yards away in Womarah-avenue when he heard the explosion. With a postman Avho was passing the school he jumped the fence and reached Russell as he collapsed to the ground. “He Avas a game kid,” said Mr Osborne. “He asked for a glass of Avater and then said. ‘Do you think I’ll die, You had better tell ray mother'.” As far as detectives could learn the three boys were the only ones on the premises, it being shool holiday time. A woman in a house opposite saw the boy covered in blood, and rang Central Ambulance, whih took Russell and Collins to St. Vincent’s Hospital.