THE COLERIDGE TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 22191, 20 November 1935, Page 10

THE COLERIDGE TRAGEDY

ACCIDENTAL TOUCH TO BUTTON RELEASING WATERS CORONER’S SURMISE [Pek United Pkess Associatiox.] CUR I SIC 11U RCH. November 19. Tbo full story of Monday's tragic accident at Lake Coleridge, in which three men lost their lives when water from tho lake was admitted accidentally to the pipeline in which they were working, was told before Mr H. A. Young, coroner, at the inquest into the deaths of the men at Lake Coleridge yesterday. The men were;— Eric Thomas Cockburn, single, aged 39, of Lake Coleridge. William Henry Crowe, single, aged 46, of Lake Coleridge.. Frank Coates married, aged 43, also of Lake Coleridge. The, coroner found that they died from Injuries received through the pipeline in which they were working being accidentally filled with water. “I am satisfied on the evidence that the electrical and mechanical equipment used to control the entrance of the water to the pipeline was in good order,” said the coroner in announcing his verdict, “ and I am also satisfied that it was not affected by lightning.” (It was mentioned in the evidence that lightning had. been thought of as the agent which released the water, but after consideration and testing of the machinery had been discounted.) “It seems to me from the evidence that the closed gate at the head of the pipeline was opened through the ‘ open ’ button in the valve house haying been pressed and from circumstances set out in the evidence of two of the witnesses, Michael John M‘Hugh and William Henderson, who were in the valve house, when -the button was pressed, and after inspecting the valve house I think the button was accidentally and unknowingly pressed by Henderson. _ I also think that when men are working in a pipeline tho power should be cut off from the gate controls affecting that pipeline.” Henderson and M'Hugh were members of the gang employed on painting and repair work bh ’ the pipeline. .M'Hugh went into the valve house to shelter from the rain and Henderson later entered the valve. house to rest, and according to evidence tried to approach M'Hugh from behind, intending to surprise him. Henderson was unable in his evidence to tell exactly how he walked through the valve house in approaching M'Hugh, but it was suggested by the coroner that he walked past the switch board in front of which were several obstacles. This witness did not admit. _ The coroner suggested that in passing these obstacles Henderson might have put out his hand to steady himself and so accidentally tint his thumb or finger on the starting button which raised the water gate, releasing water into the pipeline. Witness did not admit this* , The buttons which set iff motion the electrical machinery to open the gates are recessed so that they could not, it was agreed by witness, be pressed by an accidental brush of ’ the ann or shoulder.