HUMAN TORCH

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1933, Page 6

HUMAN TORCH

MAN TAKES LEAF INTO SEA

an accident ON A SHIP.

AUCKLAND, May 24.

With his clothes in flames, a man ©merged from the engine room scuttle on the motor vessel Margaret, W. shortly after two o’clock yesterday and hurled himself into the harbour. His presence of mind probably saved his life.

Th e man, Mr W. Graham, aged 20, of 72, Howe Street, Auckland, is second engineer on tho vessel, and was filling ,a ‘•cartridge,” used to start the Diesel engines, with methylated spirits. The % exploded and the burning contents were sprayed ®U over the engineer’s clothes, as well as his face and hands.

At the time of the accident Mr Graham was working alone in the engine room. Apparently he realised that his only chance was to get out of the engine room without help, and the first that anyone else on the ship knew about the mishap was when they saw Mr Graham come on to the deck from the engine room scuttle. The scuttle opens near the starboard rail, and the engineer, aflame from head to foot, went straight over the s ide. Fortunately one of the motor ship’s surf boats was tied up alongside, and Mr Graham was able to obtain a •hold on that. The boat was bben pulled to some nearby steps, and Mr Graham was helped out of the water. Mr Graham. wa s burnt about the. face and hands and was taken-to hospital by a ambulance. ' A sack ,ca\p|frfire v :in the engine room but the was suppressed by a patent extinguisher before any damage bad bean done. *