WORKMAN KILLED WHEN DRUM EXPLODES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 May 1937, Page 8

WORKMAN KILLED WHEN DRUM EXPLODES.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MILSON AERODROME. A married man named Frederick Charles Norton, aged 54, who resided at 7 Regent Street, Palmerston North, met death under tragic circumstances in the workshop attached to the. nangar of Union Airways, Ltd., Milson, shortly before mid-day yesterday. He was using an oxy-acetylene plant to cut the top off an empty benzine drum when an explosion occurred, probably as 1 the result of the fumes in the drum becoming ignited when the acetylene flame penetrated the metal easing. The iron lid blew out with terrific force and inflicted shocking injuries to Mr. Norton's head, anti he dropped where he stood.

Working a planing machine some six feet away, another employee had a narrow escape, but the deadly missile did not 'fly in his direction, and he was unhurt, though shaken by the explosion. No damage was done to the interiof of the worshop, and the acetylene plant itself did not explode, but the petrol drum burst into flames immediately, and the blaze had to be suppressed with an extinguisher. Mr. Norton leaves besides his wife, who lives in Taradale, a daughter who is working in Napier.