BOY ELECTROCUTED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 75, 10 March 1933, Page 10

BOY ELECTROCUTED

TRAGEDY AT FERNHILL. FOUND WITH CLOTHING AFLAME Electrocution caused the death of a | 13-year-old Maori boy, Hetariki Arapata Hakiwai, at Fernhill last evening, due to his coining in contact with an 11,000 volt power line situated at the top of a 70-foot steel pole. The boy had been iu the habit of ascending half-way up the pole, which I was situated on the river-bed at the back of the Omahu Pa, in order to look for his cows. On this occasion, however, due no doubt to his being unable to see the cows from his customary position, the boy decided to ascend higher. He was warned against doing so by another Maori boy who was passing on his way towards the pa, but, ignoring the caution, deceased continued climbing until he had reached the top Here he evidently came in contact with the wires, for his companion, who had proceeded to the pa, heard a report similiar to that of a shot, whereupon he informed the residents of the pa, who immediately hastened to the scene of the accident. Upon arriving at the pole they were met with the sight of the boy lying dead on the ground with his clothes in flames. Death, apparently, was instantaneous. At the moment the unfortunate boy touched the wires it had the effect of automatically operating the power board's circuit-breakers, which immediately cut off all power in the surrounding district. Upon the particular pole which the boy climbed were four of the customary notices warning persons against touching the pole, let alone climbing it, and in ascending to the top the bor’ passed over two of the signs. An inquest will be held by the Hastings coroner at the Omahu Pa this afternoon.