CRUSHED IN A HOLD

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 301, 14 September 1908, Page 3

CRUSHED IN A HOLD

4 — A FATAL ACCIDENT. At 11.30 o'clock 011 Friday morning an accident happened to Charles Nevis, a wharf labourer, who resides at Norway Street (of? Taitville) while ho was working in No. 2 hold of the White Star liner lonic at the Queen's AVharf. In company with another labourer, Anton Bogrn, lie was unstacking and slinging eases of asbestos slabs, which weigh 4ewt. each. It was the practice to worli out two bales at a time from the stack, and Nevis was partly supporting two, .whilst his mate adjusted the sling, when, -the.- bales took charge and in falling crushed Nevis against a staunchion. •He stated at the time that he did not think he was badly hurt, but was taken home in a cab, and from there to tho hospital, whore lie expired at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday. _ The evidence adduced at the inquest, held before Dr. M'Artliur, District Coroner, on Saturday afternoon, showed that after the. injury sustained as above related Nevis declined to be sent up to the deck in a basket and walked up 40ft. of perpendicular ladder. He was seen by tho ship's doctor, who did not think he had sustained, more than a severe shaking. Nevis would not have anyone go with him in the cab, but while on his way home ho became much worse, and at 5.45 p.m. it was decided to send him to the hospital, where he gradually became worse. A consultation was held by the medical men, but it was decided that an operation would be of no avail. Dr. Simpson, who conducted the post mortem examination, stated that ho had found tho stomach badly ruptured. There were also evidences of old-standing appendicitis. Death was due to shock from a severe rupture to the stomach. Evidence was also given by Messrs. W. Ward (stevedore), Bogrn, Watson (foreman of cargo gang), Conlan (cabman), and Dr. Ewart. / The jury returned a verdict that Nevis camo to his death by rupture of the stomach caused by the accidental falling of two asbestos cases against him in No. 2 hold of the s.s. lonic. Deceased was a married man, without a family.