GASSED IN WELL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1935, Page 6

GASSED IN WELL

MAN OVERCOME BY FUMES

RESCUER LOSES HIS LIFE

PALMERSTON N., December 10. One man was fatally gassed and another was hauled to the surface in an unconscious state just in time after he had been overcome by fumes at the bottom of a well at iWoodville yesterday afternoon. The man who succumbed was a widower, Mr John Harris, aged 00, a farmer, who went to the assistance of Mr W. (L Marshal! after the latter had collapsed. Mr Marshall was hauled to the surface by a third man, Mr F. Page, bv means of a looped rope. Similar efforts by Mr Page to rescue Mr Harris were unavailing as he liad already died before he could be brought to the surface. ... The three men were engaged in digging a well at the farm of Mi 1 age in Ormond Road, Woodville. The wen bid reached a depth of about 18ft. Mr Marshall was working at the bottom doing the digging, and the other two men were hauling up the spoil by means of a winch.

Owing to the intense head, Mr Marshall we told to come to the surface. He had just taken his place on the seat of the hoist when he collapsed. Fortunately, Mr Page was abl c to slip a noose round Mr Marshall’s body and be was about to operate the winch when Air Harris, with no thought of danger, swung himself down the rope into the well.

Air Page redoubled his efforts and succeeded in hauling out Air Alarshall and quickly reviving him. Air Page then called to Air /Harris, but received no response. Mr Harris was unconscious. Feverishly Air Page attempted to slip a noose round his body, but without success.

Finally he was obliged to drop the rope round tlie fallen man’s neck, and Mr Alarshall also assisted to bring him to the surfTice, However, their efforts were in vain, for Air Harris was dead.

At an inquest held this morning, Air Page stated fohjat .Air Marshall had hit his cigarette lighter five or six times to test the atmosphere in the well and there had been no evidence of foul gases.

About an hour after work was resumed after lunch, Air Alarshall, who was doing the digging, asked to be hauled up for a spell, but went down again after half an hour. A wind chute had been put up to create a draught, as the day was very hot. Air Alarshall said that conditions were no better at the bottom so he was told to come up again. He sat astride a board across the bucket, but before witness could pull him out he had fallen off. He managed to get a noose round Air 'Marshall, and was about to pull him to the surface when Mr Harris, who had become excited, slid down the rope to the bottom of the well. Witness then pulled Mr Marshall up, but witness was not able to get . a noose round th e Tbr.cly of Air Harris, who also had collapsed. Finally witness and Mr Alarshall got the rope round Mr Harris’ neck ana Lamed him out that wav.

Medical evidence was given that AllHarris had died before he was hauled up. Death was due to carbon-dioxide poisoning.

A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.