BLASTING ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9138, Issue 9138, 10 February 1910, Page 7

BLASTING ACCIDENT.

MAN BLOWN HIGH IN THE AIR. A serious blasting accident occurred on the first section of the North Coast railway on February 1. It appears while a workman named Robinson was engaged charging a hole for blasting in a cntting on Wira-Gulla Estate, near Mrs J. K. Mackay's residence, Cangon, a piece of rock fell into the hole, blocking it up. The hole contained half a charge, and Robinson with a drill and a ganger named Sharp with a hammer proceeded to drill the hole out, but the charge suddenly-exploded, with the result that Robinson was thrown high in the air, sustaining terrible injuries. Sharp was also badly injured. Medical aid was summoned.. Both men were removed to Dungog Hospital, where it was found that the" skin of Robinson's right hand had been torn to shreds. One arm was filled with stone and gravel. The left hand was severely injured, with a big hole in the wrist, his face studded with small stones, and although the eyes are seriously injured the doctor thinks the sight may be saved. He also received dislocation of the ankle and a deep cut on the top of the head. He is suffering severely from shock. Sharp escaped the full force of the explosion, but received a nasty cut on the eyebrow, which necessitated several stitches. His lip is also cut through, and the arms studded with stones. Just before the explosion occurred the ganger instructed the other workmen to move from the place where the accident happened.