BRIDGE SCAFFOLDING BREAKS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 September 1937, Page 5

BRIDGE SCAFFOLDING BREAKS.

MAN KILLED, THREE INJURED. PRECIPITATED “ON TO RIVER BED 40 FEET BELOW (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRrS'i'CHURCii, Last. Nignt. One man was killed and three injured when part of the scaffolding of a bridge on which they were working near Springfield, collapsed this afternoon. A fifth man escaped by gaining hold of the bridge. Those involved in thy accident were: — Killed JOHN OWEN MACER, aged about (10 years, a married man, of Timaru. Injured WILLIAM LAURENCE STODDART, aged 32, married, of 170 Durham street, Christchurch, compound fracture of left arm and fractured ribs, condition satisfactory. ALBERT SAMUEL CREWE, aged 38, married, of 04 Keppel street, New Brighton, fractured arm and ribs and concussion, condition satisfactory. ERIC AUSTIN, aged 27, single, of Darfleld, fractured nose and tibula, and abrasions, condition satisfactory. The accident occurred about 1.15 p.m. at the bridge crossing the Ivowhai river about a mile and a-half past Springfield on the West Coast. A side beam supporting the planking on which the men were standing broke and four of them fell about 40 feet on to the diy shingle, the fifth saving himself by seizing part of the bridge as he fell. The four men were taken to Springfield by train, where they were attended by Dr. C. E. Reid, of Darfleld, but Macer died immediately on arrival. He suffered a fractured leg and his skull is also thought to have been fractured. St. John Ambulance eon veyed the injured men to Christchurch Public Hospital, where they were rej ported to be in a satisfactory condition this evening. All men were employees of the Railway Department. The bridge, which is reserved for rail traffic, yas being reinforced and work is still proceeding. It is thought that a cross grain in the beam may have caused the accident. An inquest into Macer 5 s death will be opened to-morrow.