ACCIDENTS

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1938, Page 6

ACCIDENTS

BLOWN TO PIECES Maori Farmer’s Fate IPer Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, February 21. Literally blown to pieces, the remains of a well-known Opunake Maori named Te Namu, better known as Tommy Ned, were found yesterday morning on the rocks at Te Namu beach, near his farm. It is thought that the tragedy must have occurred about 4.15 p.m. on Saturday, as about that time a tremendous noise, as of a severe explosion in the vicinity, was heard. When he had not returned at milking time, his sharemilker became anxious, and it was discovered that three plugs of gelignite were missing. A search was at once instituted, and it is understood that the indications of the tragedy were discovered.

Killed by Train FATE OF RAILWAYMAN. TIMARU, February 21. While cycling along the main line at the southern end of the Timaru railway yards shortly before two o’clock this afternoon, James McKeowen, a storeman employed in the locomotive department, was struck by the north-bound express and killed instantly. Deceased was a married man, with six children. It is stated that McKeowen, who was transferred to Timaru from Invercargill only last month, was cycling alongside the main line and in the same direction the train. He was carrying a hydrant over his shoulder, and is said to have been in the act of stopping his bicycle when he was struck by the engine. Although the express was pulled up quickly, the unfortunate man was carried 60 feet before being thrown to the side of the track. The parents of the late Mr. McKeowen formerly resided in Greymouth, and one brother is Mr. Harry McKeowen, of Westport, and Mr. G. Costello, Greymouth, is a brother-in-law of deceased. DROWNED IN SURF. DUNEDIN, February 20. A 15-year-old boy, Ivan George Berryman, was drowned in the surf at Ocean View, near Brighton, this afternoon. With a companion, a boy named McKenzie, he went swimming, and got into difficulties some distance from the shore. The other boy waded ashore for assistance, and a young man named McColl went out to the rescue. Berryman struggled with him, and McColl was nearly drowned himself in his efforts to hold the lad. In the struggle he lost his grip of the boy, who disappeared. The body has not so far been recovered. OAMARU, February 21. On arrival at Oamaru on Saturday evening of the training mine-sweeper Wakahura, it was discovered that one of the crew, Cecil Simpson, of Wanganui, was missing. It, has not been ascertained whether he was lost overboard, or had gone ashore without leave.