FATAL BOMB EXPLOSION

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 143, 17 June 1916, Page 6

FATAL BOMB EXPLOSION

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH

HOW CAPTAIN BEEKMAN MET

HIS DEATH

At the Xrentham Camp to-day the Coroner (Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.), held an enquiry concerning the death of Captain Antonio Beekman, Chief Engineer Instructor, who was accidentally killed during a bomb-throwing exhibition at Trentham on Thursday last.

Lieut.-Colonel H. B. Potter, Camp Commandant, stated that he was present during an exhibition of bomb-throwing on Thursday a-ftemoon last. Captain Beekman was in charge of the bombs. A number of jam-tin bombs had been thrown by the troops, and it was proposed to give an exhibition of the effect of the sabulite bombs on the trenches. Witness saw a bomb in deceased's right hand, and he was apparently hesitating to throw it. Just as deceased was in the act of throwing the bomb, the explosion took place. As a result of the explosion deceased's right hand was blown off, while he also received a severe wound in the region of the throat. First-aid was rendered by Major Sleeman and the deceased was then removed to the camp hospital. The bombs, which were manufactured locally, were very powerful. They were in perfect order at the timo. The particular bomb which caused Captain Beekman"s death was timed to explode 15 seconds after the lighting of 'the fuse. Instructions had been issued to the witness that no bombthrowing was to take place unless Lieut. Bale, who was an expert, was present. He understood that deceased had had previous experience in bomb-throwing under Lieut. Bale.

Lieut.-Col. P. 0. Andrew, N.Z.M.C, Principal Medical Officer at Trentham, stated that shortly after 4 o'clock on Thursday last deceased was admitted to the camp hospital, first aid having rendered by one of the medical officers. Upon examination, it was found that Capt. Beekman was suffering from shock, a puncture wound in the right temple, a wound involving large blood vessels in the neck, and very severe laceration of the right hand. The cause of death was shock, resulting from the severe injuries received. Evidence was also given by S.M. A. F. Gamage, assistant engineer instructor, who was present with the deceased at the time of the accident. The deceased, with Lieut. Bale and witness, got into a- trench, the former having in his hand a sabulite bomb. It was their intention to bomb an old traverse in an opposite trench. Capt. Beekman said he would light the first bomb, and proceeded to do so. Then witness noticed deceased hesitating to throw the bomb, and it flashed across witness's mind that it would explode in his hand. Witness shouted to deceased to throw the bomb, while Lieut. Bale also shouted, "For God's sake throw it, man!" Just after that the explosion occurred. Deceased had previously used the same class of bombs. A verdict was returned that death was due to shock, following injuries received from a bomb which accidentally exploded in deceased's hand. No blame was attachable to anyone.