Search for a motive to killer bomb blast

Press, 19 February 1986, Page 1

Search for a motive to killer bomb blast

By

JEFF HAMPTON

Christchurch detectives are looking for the motive behind the fatal bombing of a rubbish truck at a yard in Sockburn yesterday morning.

The man killed, a driver, was at the Mogal Freight yard in Waterloo Road. He was Denis Murray Drinkwater, aged 40, of Gilberthorpes Road, Hei Hei. The investigation into the explosion is headed by Detective Inspector David Haslett.

He said yesterday that he was not prepared to speculate on the motive.

“It is going to be an extensive inquiry and will develop a great deal more,” he said. Mr Haslett also declined to speculate on what type of device had caused the explosion. The size of the explosion led the police to suspect it was a bomb.

The management of Mogal and workmates of Mr Drinkwater have declined to comment on the bombing. •

It appears that Mr Drinkwater was one of the first to arrive at the yard yesterday morning. Other workers heard the explosion about 6.30 a.m. and sought help from emergency services.

Four other workers who arrived at the yard minutes after the explosion were lucky. The powerful blast scattered debris for more than 100 m and would have almost certainly injured or killed anyone nearby. Mr Drinkwater, who was "in the vicinity” of the Isuzu truck at the time of the explosion, was killed instantly, said Mr Haslett. More than 20 detectives were working on the case, believed to be the first fatal bombing in Christchurch until late last evening. A police bomb expert from Wellington as well as explosives experts from the D.S.I.R. and the Fire

Service are helping the investigation. The power of the explosion was obvious. The truck, which was rented from a service station, remained parked in the yard yesterday afternoon. Its cab had disintegrated, pieces of debris and torn clothing littered the area, which remained cordoned ■ A big team of detectives worked at the site, sifting the area for clues. It is believed that several items which could prove useful to investigators were taken from the site yesterday. Mr Drinkwater’s car was still parked outside the yard. It and other vehicles • had been checked by a member of the police bomb-disposal squad. No explosive device was found. Mr Haslett said that it would be several days before the police had finished forensic work at the yard.\» Detectives had already spoken to the Mogal management and Mr Drinkwater's fellow workers, but many more people would have to be seen. Mr Haslett has appealed for anyone who might be able to help the inquiry to get in touch with the homicide base at the Christchurch Central Police Station. Past bombings, page 8