LOADER OPERATOR KILLED

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28105, 22 October 1956, Page 12

LOADER OPERATOR KILLED

FOUND DEAD IN GRAVEL PIT A man was found dead, caught by the chest and arms by the two arms of a front-end loader, in a gravel pit at Balcairn on Friday morning. He was Francis Raymond McTavish, aged 23. of 25 Bank street, Amberley. With Mr Raymond Timmings and Mr Mervyn Hadler, Mr McTavish went to the pit about 11 a.m. to load trucks with spoil. Shortly after 11 a.m. Mr Timmings left with a load for Leithfield beach. Mr Hadler’s truck was then loaded by Mr McTavish, and he left for the beach at 11.25 a.m. Mr McTavish was seen by Mr Hadler driving the loader to a fresh position so that he could load Mr Timmings’ truck when he returned. When Mr Timmings returned at 11.35 a.m. he found Mr McTavish wedged between the two arms of the loader, which had caught him about the chest and arms. A doctor was called, and he found Mr McTavish was dead. It is believed Mr McTavish was sitting on the loader and- accidentally touched the control lever, which lowers the loader arms, while he was under the arms. The loader bucket, containing . about three to four hundredweight of earth, is supported by the loader arms, and when they are released the bucket descends quickly. An inquest was opened in Christchurch on Saturday before the Coroner (Mr E. B. E. Taylor) and adjourned sine die after evidence of identification had been given. DRIVER KILLED HEAD-ON COLLISION BETWEEN CARS (New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, October 21. A taxi driver, Derek Lister Pepperell. of Brook street, Inglewood, was fatally injured when his taxi and another car collided head n n about 11.30 a.m. today. The accident occurred about a mile on the Kaimata side of Inglewood. The other car was driven by Mr 3. W. Potroz. of South * - oad. Kaimata. who was accompanied by his two children. Lena, aged eight, and Ray, aged 10. All were shaken severely, and Ray Potroz was admitted to the New Plymouth Hospital. His condition tonight was satisfactory.

YOUTH FALLS FROM MOTOR-CYCLE Peter Richard Harris, aged 16. of 33 Condell avenue, Papanui, suffered injuries including a fractured wrist, when he fell from his motor-cycle at the track at Lake Bryndwr yesterday He was found lying by trees near the track, and was taken to the Christchurch Public Hospital. His condition was reported last evening as fairly satisfactory.

MOTOR-CYCLE AND CAR COLLIDE

Two airmen from the Royal New Zealand Air Force station, Wigram. C. W. Botts, of Wanganui, and K. K. Svilainis, of Dunedin, suffered slight concussion in a collision between the motor-cycle they were riding and a car at the corner of Matipo street and Blenheim road on Saturday. They were admitted to the Christchurch Public Hospital at 7.40 p.m. Their condition was reported last evening as satisfactory.