TWO MEN KILLED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11685, 21 June 1901, Page 5

TWO MEN KILLED.

ACCIDENT AT NIHOTTJPU.

BURIED UNDER A FALL OF EAR'!}!

THE BODIES RECOVERED

At about half-past nine, yesterday morning j ft shocking accident occurred at Nihotupu, j at the scene of what is known as No. 12 contract, whereby two men, named Hugh Fulton and William Smythe, lost their lives. The contract in question was held by Fulton, who lives at Kaukapakapa. He had about 14 men employed, and it covered that portion of the work in connection with the Auckland auxiliary water supply which is in the immediate neighbourhood of Quinn's Creek. HOW THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. Whilst Fulton and four of his men were excavating the bank, in the course of forming the 12ft track required, an immense body of earth and stone, containing upwards of 2GO tons, came away suddenly. Smythe, a young fellow of about 20 years of age, only son of -Mr. K. Smythe, of Nihotupu, though he observed, in common with the rest of the men, indications of the slip coming noticeably a "fretting" 01 the —became confused, and ran under the slip, colliding as lit- did so with Fulton, in endeavouring to get out of the way. Fulton, owing to a former accident, whereby he had lost one eye, was probably equally confused, and this may have led to his collision with Smythe. When last seen. Fidton (the contractor) was being struck by a large boulder. The other men, by name. V. Parker, Dairy Rosier, and Ernest Coltier, managed to get out of the way in the nick of time. Rosier was working between Smythe and Fulton at the time, and had a miraculous escape, in clearing the slip. THE WORK OF RESCUE. Immediately after the accident word was sent to Mr. Carrie, the contractor for the next portion of the works (Nos. 6 and 7 contracts), who at once collected his men (some 22), and. rendered every assistance possible in the work of clearing away the fallen debris, which work was commenced without any delay. Other men, employees of the City Council, also lent valuable aid. The work of rescue was carried out in a systematic manner, the men working in short relays, under the direction of Air. M. Blair, clerk of works. The men, one and all, worked with the full knowledge- that life or death might depend upon the result, sod at last, after fully six hours of arduous work and strenuous efforts, the gang at work tinder .Messrs. R. Carrie and -John Lang, unearthed a hat, which proved to be that of Fulton's. Judging that the bodies of those they sought must, bo closo at land, the greatest cue was exercised in the removal of further debris. SMYTHE'S BODY FOUND. A few minutes afterwards the rescuers were rewarded for their persistent endeavours by the discovery of the body of Smythe. He was lying on his back. He bad evidently been killed a! the first by a blow upon the temple. Whilst the sad search was continued for Fulton's body, the body of Smythe was removed to Fulton's cam;), where the men employed on the contract were in the habit of living. THE SECOND BODY UNEARTHED. After about, another half-hour's work, the body of Fulton was discovered lying about three feet further up the creek from where Srnythe was found. Fulton was also lying on his back, and, from a cursory examination, appeared to have suffered as little as his ill-fated companion. His body was also removed to the crimp, dust as this was being effected, Mounted Constable Ramsey arrived from Auckland, and took charge of the bodies. A little later, Constable Croon, of Avon dale, who had not been available earlier through being in town, also arrived, and co-operated with the other constable. SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. The scene of the accident is a narrow, precipitous gully, about 100 ft deep. The slip. coming down this whole distance, piled up to a height of 12ft of solid debris on the bottom, tapering off towards the top. The? rendered the work of recovery both arduous and. dangerous, but a good lookout was kept for falling stones, and happily the work of recovering the bodies was effected without further mishap. Owing to the inaccessibility of the place, it was not possible to communicate last night with the constables in charge of the bodies, but it is expected that an inquest will be held a. the house of Mr. K. Smythe, father of one. of the victims, at Nihotupu, to which place the bodies are to be removed his morning. 'the accident cast a gloom over the district, as Smythe and bis father were well known in the neighbourhood whilst Hugh Fulton, the contractor, who lost his life, was also .>. well-known man in Kaukapakapa, and leaves a widow and seven children. His Widow is a daughter of Captain Dawson, of Kaukapakapa. Mr. Wilson, ike engineer in charge of the work, was teat, for, and went out to the scene o! Lie fatality last night.