FATAL ACCIDENT AT WAIPU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6098, 3 June 1881, Page 5

FATAL ACCIDENT AT WAIPU.

MAN KILLED BY PALL OF A TREE. Mb. William McElroy, contractor, Warkworth, was killed on Monday afternoon, by being struck by a tree ho was falling. Mr. McElroy some time since took a contract from the Public Works Department for the construction of a road through the Ruakaka block, near Whangarei. On Monday deceased was working with a number of men employed by him in a kahikatea swamp, about seven miles from Waipu. Fire had passed through the bush, leaving the trees charred, but standing. Mr. McElroy was with others felling a tree about 2 feet 0 inches diameter, but he had misjudged the direction of its fall. It is believed, too, that he was unable to shift his position quickly, owing to being partially bogged. A branch of the tree struck him on the back of the neck, and felled him to the ground. He rose up, however, and objected at first to the men, who saw he was badly hurt, carrying him. He had built a whare, which was about 200 yards from where the accident occurred, and where his wife and family were. There he was taken, but he spoke only a few words. He had left his watoh on the track where he was working, and he referred to it, and said to his wife, "Give my watch to little Willie," meaning his eldest son, a boy of six years of age. He then commenced to vomit blood, and died in a few minutes. A telegram was at once sent to Auckland, where deceased's father and other relatives reside, and a coffin was made and sent down to Waipu by the steamer. The body was conveyed to Waipu, and put on board the Argyie yesterday morning, and arrived here last night. Mr. McElroy has resided for a. number of years near Warkworth, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was 34 years of age. He leaves a wife and three children.