ACCIDENTS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22431, 18 June 1938, Page 16

ACCIDENTS

BRICK WALL COLLAPSES FOUR WORKMEN INJURED AT AUCKLAND (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, June 17. Four workmen were injured through being thrown to the ground when a 16ft brick wall collapsed on the site of a new building which is being constructed for Bycrofts, Ltd., in Chancery street, shortly after 4 o’clock this afternoon.

The injured men were Clark Ferguson Pirrett, a bricklayer, aged 28, married, of Mount Eden, who suffered head injuries and shock; Percy Pennell, aged 34, single, of Upper Queen street, shock and abrasions; Charles Strong, Nelson street, shock and abrasions; George Bending, of Devonport, shock and abrasions. . The site of the new building, which is being constructed by the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd., adjoins the property previously occupied by D. S. C. Cousins, Ltd., which was recently destroyed by fire. Under the new by-laws, there must be no intervening space between the buildings on the property. There were two brick walls about four inches apart, and several bricklayers were filling in this gap when the accident occurred. Water seeping in behind the wall had caused it to weaken and this was apparently overlooked by the men, who were standing on top of the old wall. Short scaffolding also was used to strengthen the wall, but the combined weight of the men caused it to crumble and collapse. With the wall giving way from under their feet, the men attempted to leap clear, but they lost their balance and fell among a pile of masonry. The four injured men were taken to the Auckland Hospital. After treatment in the casualty ward, Strong and Bending were able to return to their homes, but Pirrett and Pennell were admitted. Their condition to-night was reported to be not serious.

WOMAN FRACTURES LEG IN PALL

Falling down some steps at her home yesterday morning, Mrs J. Brewer, of 9 Buxton terrace, St. Martins, fractured her right leg. She was taken to the Christchurch Public Hospital by the St. John ambulance.