ELECTRIC LIGHT WIRE ACCIDENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1895, Page 2

ELECTRIC LIGHT WIRE ACCIDENT.

A SERIOUS MISHAP. During yesterday afternoon one of the electrio light wires in Constable-street, Newtown, was broken and blown down by the wind, and the wire was afterwards picked up by some children and fastened to a fence, >eing allowed to hang across the footpath. The consequences of this have proved serious, resulting in the injury of three persons, who came in contact with the wire after the light had been turned on. About 7 o'olook a Mibs Alice Mason, of Melrose, and her younger Bißtor walked against the wire. Miss Mason taking hold of it with her hand became unconscious from the shook, bhe wasrescned by anassistant in Mr. Compton's store, who was called to the spot by the younger child, who wai not much hurt. Dr. Young was sent for to attend the elder girl, her hand being badly burnt, besides receiving a severe shook to the system. Her Bonsations were very singular, Bhe being conscious of everything that was going on around her, but yet unable to move or speak. Within a short time of this accident, residents near the iraotured wire heard sounds of moaning, and on search being made by Constable Carroll, a young fellow named Bernard Hansen, living at Kilbirnie, was found lying lengthways on the wire in a somi -conscious state. He was examined by Drs. Young and Alexander, and as hia case seemed serious he was removed to tho Hospital, "where he eventually recovered consciousness, and is now almost well. It is stated that several messages were sent to the lighting station aßking that the current should be turned off, but no action was taken until nearly 9 o'olock, when Mr. Suckling -ißaron himself arrived, and seeing the state of affairs at once ordered the current to be cut off. After the discovery of Hansen, some of the residents monnted guard over the spot, and prevented any further accident. Mr. A. Suckling-Baron, general manager of the Electrio Lighting Syndicate, explains that as coon as the accident was reported a man was sent out to disoover the whereabouts of the broken wire, and the current waß turned off immediately it was ascertained in which cirouit the wire lay. As a further precaution both publio and private lights were cut oS until the damaged wire could be repaired.