SHOCKING ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5634, 6 December 1879, Page 7

SHOCKING ACCIDENT.

A shocking accident it repoite 1 by the Ail-

vocale to have occurred in Victoria recently. Several persona were amusing themselves with fireworks in celebration of the sth November, when a man named Wdliam Cook, thinking to create a little divesion among the occupants of the bar parlour of the Royal Hotel, carried in one of the large squibs, called "cannon rockets," aud having lighted it, placed it in a glass. Apparently wishing to make the exhibition a little more sensational, Cook snatched tho squib out of the tumbler while it was lizzing, and placed it in his mouth, amilst the uncontrollable laughter of a number of other persons who were present, none of them apparently beit g aware of its power of exploding. /ifter lizzing for a few seconds, it exploded with tcriific effect. The sufferer fell back on the sofa, and covered his mouth with his hands, and almost immediately after a stream of blcod flowed from his mouth. It was soon seen that he was severely injured, as he could not speak. A messenger was des-patch-d for medical assistance, aud Dr..Macgrrgc r was quickly in attendance. On examination it was found that the effect of the cxp'osion had been to tear the unfortunate man's tongue to pieces from its point to the roi t, aud severely lacerated his checks, betides blowing one of the largest of his back !e th out. The wliolo of his mouth was also severely burned. Tiie doctor did what he could to relievo Cook's sufferings, but the poor fellow was, ami still remains, in a dangerous state, as it is impossible for him to swallow any solid food. The effect on those present can easily be imagined. Had any one of them knew the danger Cook was running, he could easily have prevented tho accident, but no harm was anticipated from his foolish conduct, it being thought the firework would have exhausted itself by morely fizzing.