THE FATAL ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 801, 16 January 1903, Page 3

THE FATAL ACCIDENT.

THE JURY’S DECISION.

Yesterday afternoon Mr Barton, S.M., Coroner, and a jury comprising Messrs W. J. Brown (foreman), J. S. Graham, Michael Rice, John Cassidy, George Saunders, and M. Benson, held an inquest conoerr.iig the death of Charles William Johnsen, killed the previous day on the railway cooperative works at Kaitaratahi. Sergeant Siddells represented the police. Dr. David Morrison deposed that in consequence of an urgent message he proceeded to Kaitaratahi, whore he found deceased was breathing his last. He examined the body, and found that the heart had almost ceased beating and the

breathing was just an occasions! gasp. Except for a bruised forehead, there were no signs of external injury. Witness came to the conclusion that Johnsen died of shock or internal hemorrhage. Witness arrived at Kaitaratahi at 1 p.m. j every despatch was used to get him on to the scene by special train in tho shortest possible time. Charles Edward Armstrong, C.E., in charge of the Gisbornc-Karaka railway, stated that deceased was employed in William Williams’ gang, at earthwork on a cutting, which wus in about 50ft, with two low faces. It was worked in this manner for safety, no high falls being allowed. The one at which the accident happened was only 7ft Bin in height. A small portion from one corner appeared to have slipped off a sloping portion of the strata, commonly called a greusy back. The batters were always taken in as the cutting advanced to give more room and so ensure further safety. Williams, the foreman, was a competent workman, and witness had every reason to believe that the work was ear. ied on in a safe and careful manner. 'When tho accident was reported to him he obtained medical aid in the quickest possible time. William Williams, miner, deposed that deceased was one of a gaDg of seven men working on the railway lino just behind Scott’s homestead, on a cutting, the deptli of which was about 19ft. The work was carried on in two benches. Tbo men were working on the bottom bench, the height of which was about 7ft Bin. Tbo forma-

tion was sandstone and papa. Tho earth was removed by taking down fails, and tho party had taken one fall out in the morning. At about 11.50 a.m. the party were shovelling into the truck and getting ready for another fall. Deceased was picking at the bottom at this time, preparing for the fall. There were two men picking and two shovelling. Witness was shovelling into tho truck, and on looking up saw a lump coming off tho corner. YVitness sang out to deceased, “ Look out,” but the fall struck him and knocked him down. Deceased was covered from his feet to his waist. He was extricated, and called out to witness, “ Oh, Billy, take me out.” Deceased could not stand, and had to be carried. Word was immediately sent to tho Engineer, and the deceased was carried on a stretcher to Kaitaratahi Hotel. There was no carelessness on the part of anybody. In taking the previous fall it was necessary for throe men with crowbars to removo it. In reply to the foreman, witness said deceased at no time showed carelessness in work. He was the most careful man witness had.

William Morris, a laborer working on tho Gisborno-Karaka railway, said ho was employed in the gang of William Williams on Wednesday, and deceased was also there. At about ton minutes to twelve he was shovelling and deceased was picking on tho bottom of the cutting preparing for the fall. Witness heard Williams call out to deceased to “lookout,” and on looking round he saw a lump of earth burst from the face. It fell on to dreeased, and partly buried him. Deceased was extracted from the earth with all possible haste, and brought to the Kaitaratahi Hotel. Witness said there was no danger attached to the cutting. Every care was taken by the authorities for the safety of the workmen, and as a workman he was satisfied that evory care was takon. Tho jury, after a short retirement, returned the following vordict: “ The death of the deeased was accidental, no blarno being attached to anyono,” also adding that great credit was due to tho authorities for their quick despatch in procuring medical aid.