CAR AND DRIVER BLOWN TO FRAGMENTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3287, 5 March 1926, Page 6

CAR AND DRIVER BLOWN TO FRAGMENTS

Detonators Explode Load of Gelignite

SHOCKING DEATH OF BRIDGE FOREMAN

Okuku road, about two miles north of Shannon, was the scene of an extraordinary and shocking fatality yesterday morning, when a five-scater ear and Its occupant, Mr. W. Camjjbell, of Tokomaru, were blown to pieces by an explosion which originated from within the car.

The victim, -who was 4C years of age, was bridge foreman for the Makerua Drainage Board and weiu down in his car to a whare on the Okuku road near where the wor; men are at present operating, i secure detonators and gelignite. Tin. road is in a very bad state and thowho have occasion to use it say tliu,. it is impossible to travel 'at more than a few miles an hour without risking damage to the car. Campbell had not proceeded more than 200 yards after loading tip at the whare when the explosion occurred and it is presumed that the bumping of the oar fired the detonators: which unfortunately must have been in close proximity to the gelignite. The explosion was heard as far away as Shannon and when tw’O men working in nearby drains reached the scene, they found the car in fragments, some parts having been hurled for a distance of over 100 yards. Campbell had been blown to pieces, parts of his body also being found long distances from the scene of the tragedy. Deceased was well-kH6wh and highly-respected throughout the district and was regarded by his employers as a man who could get things done. Ho was a widower, Mrs. Campbell having predeceased him about 12 months ago. He leaves a family of 10 children, the eldest, a girl of 17, being nn inmate of the Palmerston North hospital until yesterday, when, on learning of her father's death, she returned borne. Other children are in All Saint’s- Children’s Home at Palmerston North and Poxton and tw'O, others at a Wellington institution. | The car was a new one, having ! boon in deceased’s possession only 3 weeks.