Explosion In Launch Blows Man Into Water

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31564, 29 December 1967, Page 1

Explosion In Launch Blows Man Into Water

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 28. A man was blown into the water and another suffered a scorched face when an explosion occurred in a 26-foot pleasure launch at Tryphena, Great Barrier Island, today.

A dinghy was used to tow the blazing vessel into the bay as the flames threatened to reach a 4000-gallon fuel dump.

Mrs C. A. Gibbs, who was helping to refuel the launch at the family’s landing, said later: “It appeared to come from the petrol tank. There was a hum and then a huge bang. One of the men flew past and just about bowled me.”

Once the launch was clear of the landing, a hole was punched in its bottom and it was allowed to sink, still burning from end-to-end.

The moments of terror began when the boat, manned by four elderly men, was brought alongside the landing.

“We had only just begun pumping petrol and then there was this big explo-

sion,” said Mrs Gibbs. “Everything erupted in flames once the fire reached the bilges. “My 15-year-old daughter, Glyen, dived fully clothed into the water and brought the boat’s fire extinguisher to the surface. We also got the extinguisher from the house, but the fire was too far gone.”

Mrs Gibbs said that even the nozzle of the fuel pipe was burning when it was thrown ashore. “We told them to get the launch away from the landing ... I had a terrific amount of fuel and was scared it would all go up.” The craft, owned by Mr M. S. Haslar, of Westmere, Auckland, was not insured. The burnt shell was salvaged from about 10ft of water and is being brought to Auckland by the scow Owiti. The four men were all shaken, but well. Four Men Saved Four men were saved from drowning this morning near Waihi Beach by the quick thinking of a Mount Albert man. Mr K. Brinkman was walking along the beach near Bowentown, at the southern end of the beach, when he noticed Tour men about 600 yards offshore. They were waving their arms and shouting. Behind them, an 18ft cabin cruiser was sinking. Mr Brinkman telephoned the Waihi police, who notified the police at Waihi Beach, the surf club, Tauranga police, and the Tauranga Aero Club. The club put up a spotter plane which headed for Waihi.

Mr Brinkman returned to the beach and went to the four men on a surf ski and began to assist them.

They were wearing lifejackets but were not competent swimmers. Five life-savers arrived in the club’s patrol vehicle after a four-mile dash from the surf club. Mr D. Moore swam out to the four, who were clinging to Mr Brinkman’s ski. Several others also swam to help. When brought to shore, two of the rescued had to be assisted up the beach. Two hours later, one was still exhausted.

The plane directed club members to the launch, which was floating just beneath the

surface. One member attached a line to the submerged boat, and, with the help of local holidaymakers, the boat was pulled back to the beach. The cause of the sinking was still unknown some hours later. Those rescued are Mr C. Bunning, single, of Waharoa; Mr G. Kerr, single, of Morrinsville, and Mr S. Collins, single, of Morrinsville. The fourth man’s name was not available. One of three men in a boating accident in the Hauraki Gulf near Thames on Tuesday evening, is still in a very serious condition, according

to Thames Hospital authorities. The three men were found clinging to their upturned dinghy about eight miles off shore early yesterday morning, after spending more than 13 hours in the water. One of the men, Robert Andrew Neil Smith, aged 31, of Te Aroha, was unconscious for nine hours before being rescued and was supported in the water by the two men. Mr Smith, who was only just breathing when brought to land, was rushed to the Thames Hospital by ambulance while a doctor applied oxygen.