TERRIBLE BURNS

Northern Advocate, 29 October 1932, Page 11

TERRIBLE BURNS

MAN DIES IN HOSPITAL,

FOUND AFTER GARAGE FIRE,

SYDNEY, October 13

Screaming for .help, Frank Smith, 23, a single unemployed labourer, who had been camping at Minnamurra, was found writhing in agony on the ground near his camp yesterday morning. The man had been shockingiy burnt. Every particle of his clothing had been burnt from his body, and his flesh had been horribly charred. .Several of his fingers had been burnt, off.. He died in the Kiama Hospital later in,the day. Shortly before midnight on Thmsday a garage about 500 yards away-, from the camping area caught fire. A lorry inside was practically destroyed by the flames. The Kiama police, .investigated the (mibren.r, and fount*,... ;i----hurricane lamp near the lony. they were of the opinion that someone hud entered the garage with the lamp, and 1 that the petrol in the lorry had .exploded shortly afterward... . About an hour later rosulonta' ; near the Minnamur i camp heard piteous calls for help. Smith was . found lying naked on the ground! Apparently, the police stated, ho had dragged himself for some 'distance along the ground. In view of the ghastly nature of his burns, he must have.possessed great fortitude, and it was only when his strength failed that he had shrieked for aid. . ..

He was rushed to the Kiania Kuspital, in a dying condition. Later ho was questioned by the police, but refused to disclose how he had, received the burns. He hove his frightful injuries stoically, though occasionally lapsed into unconsciousness. He made several rambling statements shortly before he died.