Long Experience With Explosives

Northern Advocate, 16 May 1939, Page 6

Long Experience With Explosives

An inquest Into the death of Wiremu Kaire opened at the Wh-mgarei District Hospital before Mr G. H. Morrish, J.P., District Coroner, this afternoon. Evidence of identification was given by a son, Pomare Kingi Kaire, also a labourer at Going’s Lime Works. His father, who was aged 49, was a certificated quarryman, and did all the blasting at the quarry. He was well versed in the use of explosives, and fired many shots almost daily. At the time of the accident, his father was usipg gelignite and detonators, with fuse attached.

Witness said he was working about 100 yards away, and on hearing that ,his father had been injured, immediately went to his assistance. Deceased was lying at the bottom of the quarry and scarcely spoke, except to say that his foot was very sore, and that it was not to be moved. Rapid Amputation Performed, Dr. J. W. Hall, medical superintendent of the Whangarei District Hospital, said that deceased was admitted at 10.15 a.m. on May 15, suffering from severe lacerations and compound fracture of the right leg. After a consultation, rapid amputation was performed above the ankle. Kaire was suffering from profound shock and loss of blood, and despite intravenous remedies, failed to rally, dying at 1.15 a.m. today. The cause of death was shock and loss of blood following severe injuries to the leg, consistent with the history of an explosion of very recent origin. The inquest was adjourned.