EXPLOSION AT REWANUI

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1928, Page 2

EXPLOSION AT REWANUI

ENGINE-DRIVER INJURED.

Owing to the steam dome of one of the Bab.cock-Wilcox boilers in use at the enginehouse at the Middle Brake of the Rewanui Mine exploding about 3.30 p.m. yesterday, Mr George Gardiner, the engine-driver, was severely injured. The cause of the explosion is unknown and from a cursory examination of the boiler last evening by the Inspector of Machinery (Mi 1 Edward Brown), the boiler plates did not show any deterioration. Mi’ Brown visited Rewanui this morning for the purpose of making a minute examination.

When the accident occurred, Mr Gardiner was attending to the boiler fires, and the force of the explosion carried practically the whole of the heating parts backwards towards Gardiner, pinning him by the right foot. It took some time to lift the weight off him, and after he was released, Dr Meade would not allow him to be removed for some time, as he was suffering from shock. When able to be moved, he was carried to the Rewanui railway station, where a special train was waiting to bring him to Greymouth to the Hospital. Last night, Dr. Moore took a blood transfusion from Mr. Wollett, a nephew of Mr. Gardiner. The latter’s condition to-day is reported to be much the same as on his admission last evening, still being serious. Mr. Gardiner is a man of about 50 years of age, and is married. He resides in Runanga. The boiler which exploded, is the midle one of three,, and the steam pressure carried is usually 1501bs. to the square inch. The boiler-house is much damaged, but it is expected to have the two remaining boilers connected up to enable work to be resumed early next week. The boilers supply power for the Middle Brake power house.