ACCIDENTS

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1939, Page 5

ACCIDENTS

Amuri Fatality MAN KILLED IN TUNNEL. CHRISTCHURCH, September 7. Fatal injuries were suffered by Vernon Englefield Willis, a married man, aged 32 years of Taratuhi, when he was caught by a fall of papa rock in the Amuri Tunnel on the South Island Main Trunk Railway, about 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Doctor R. L. Withers, of Kaikoura, was called to, scene of the accident, but Willis died: within a few minutes. | A report received to-day stated that Willis was the only person injured by the fall. Powder Explosion IN AUCKLAND SHOP. AUCKLAND, September 7. An explosion of blasting powder occurred in the Farmers’ Trading Company’s store at Wellsford this afternoon, and two men Rodney Brocklehurst, aged 20, a grocer’s assistant, of Wellsford, and John Campbell Geldard, aged 24 years, a railway employee, of New Lynn, were seriously burnt. Brocklehurst, who is an assistant in the store, was’ weighing out some blasting powder when it suddenly exploded, and he and his customer received the full force. They were brought to the Auckland Hospital. A good deal of damage was done to the buildings, the front door being blown out and two skylights damaged, while the stock, scales, cash register, and counters also suffered extensively. Fire also broke out, but was soon extinguished by a bucket brigade.