FATALITY AT MANGAHAO.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 August 1921, Page 3

FATALITY AT MANGAHAO.

■ ONE TUNNELLER KILLED,

ANOTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED

An explosion of gelignite, attended with fatal consequences, occurred at the Mangahao hydro-electric works at 10.30 o’clock on, Wednesday morning. The victims were Alexander Murdoch, who was instantaneously killed, and Michael Lynch, who sustained injuries of a very serious nature.

The scene of the accident was No. 2 tunnel—at the Arapeti dam. Deceased, with four mates, went on tunnelling duty at 8 o’clock. They were informed by the head of the previous shift that there was an unexploded charge in the face of the tunnel. From 1 his actions, it was apparent that Murdoch was working at the charge, evidently trying to pick it out, when it exploded. Murdoch met an instantaneous death, while his mate, Lynch, who was a little distance from him. received shocking injuries to his face. At the time of the explosion, the others of the party were out of danger, having just previously taken some trucks out of the tunnel. Dr. Evans, of Shannon, was summoned to the scene and attended to Lynch, who was subsequently removed to the Palmerston North Hospital. It is, feared that he will lose his eyesight. Constable McGregor, of Shannon, took the body of the deceased Murdoch to Shannon, where an inquest will be held this afternoon. The late Mr Murdoch, who was 33 years of age, was married only six weeks ago to Miss K. Persson, of Palmerston North. He saw considerable service with the Tunnelling Corps at ihe war. Deceased’s mother lives at Marton. Mrs Le France, of Palmerston North, is a sister, and Mr R. V. Mason, of Awapuni, a brother-in-law. An operation was performed upon the injured man at. the Hospital yesterday afternoon, and several large pieces of metal were extracted from his face. Tie is suffering severely from shock, and is in a somewhat critical condition.