Shocking Fatality.

Hastings Standard, Issue 167, 10 November 1896, Page 4

Shocking Fatality.

A .shocking fatality occurred on the steamer Pakaia during the voyage of that vessel from London to Wellington, and that, too, when the ship had nearly reached her destination. The facts of the case are particularly distressing. The victim was a young man named P. Casey, 1H years of age who had come out as an ordinary seaman. It appears that last Tuesday morning—the day the Kakaia left Hobart —Casey, with" six other men was i ngaged in trimming the coal in the ship's bunkers—an occupation at which the crew had been engaged for about three weeks previous. About dinnertime, young Casey was missed, and. while a*search for him was being made under the guidance of the chief officer, a report came from the engineer on watch to the effect that a man's arm could be seen projecting from under the coals which were running into the stokehole. On the body being recovered, it was found that it was that of the missing man, and life was extinct. It- is surmised that deceased fell down tho bunker, was stunned by the fall, and, the coals pouring on to him, he was suffocated. The unfortunate man was buried at sea next day. It is understood that the parents of Casey belong to Napier, and some time 'ago they, with their children, went to the Old They returned to the colony by the Tongariro last Thursday, and went on to Napier in the Rotomahana, the same day. The young man who has met with this untimely end had also intended returning with tho other members of the family in the Tongariro. but, as the coming of such a large family entailed a heavy expense, it was decided that if possible he should work his passage on the i Bakaia. Accordingly the poor fellow

shipped as one of the crew of the latter ! strumer, aviS.li the sad result above No blame whatever is attachable to any one for the accident. Young Casey was exceedingly popular with both officers and crew of the Rakaia, and his melancholy death cast a gloom over the ship, which has not yet been dispelled. Sincere sympathy will be felt for deceased's relations, •who, while in Wellington, mentioned to some friends that their son was coming out on the Rakaia (which left London a day after the Tongariro) and they would soon all be re-united. — N.Z. Times.