GOODS LIFT FATALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 8

GOODS LIFT FATALITY.

DEATH OF A CARTER.

AN ACCIDENTAL MISHAP.

The lift accident in Palmerston Buildingr, Queen Street, on December 16, when a i.iarried man, George Frederick Cox, a carter, residing at 85, Beresford Street, received injuries which resulted in his death a few hours later, was tho subject of an. inquest held before tho coroner, Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., on Saturday. Mr. 13. Goldwatcr represented Mrs Cox and Mr. McArthur appeared for the British Traders' Insurance Company. Dr. Lamb said deceased told him that he had been ascending with a case of goods, and that he thought tho movement of tfcte case caused it to fall off the track and pin him against the side of the lift Deceased was suffering from extremu shock, but there were no signs of any internal i- juries. Frederick Ernest Kretschmar, merchant, siaid he was attracted to the lift by cries, and looking down the well, ho saw deceased sitting almost under a packing case on the lift floor. The lift would not move so witness got some canvas and slid dewn the wire to deceased, who was s'.tting with his legs suspended and his tttigh; tightly gripped between the first floor iind the lift. Witness had to saw through some flooring to release him. Tho man was in great pain, but was able to walk with assistance. Witness considered that deceased let the handles of tho truck project over tho back of the lift and that they struck a beam supporting the first floor, and projecting about six inches into the well. This caused the case to be thrown forward and to bo subsequently jam bed by tho movement of the lift. Tho latter was merely a platform, controlled by the user, and was perfectly safe. Edgar John Waito, carrier, said he saw deceased in tho lift immediately after the accident. Witness soized tho lift rope and stopped tho lift. Ho noticed deceased shift his position toward the centre of the lift in an effort to struggle out. Thomas H. Murray, inspector of machinery, said he inspected tho lift after tho. accident and found everything in good order. It was solely a goods lift, there being a notice in full view with tho warning that persons were not to ride on it.

The coroner found that deceased died from Bhock following severe in/juricAi. Thcro was nothing unusual about tho construction of the lift, which was supposed to be used for tho carriage of goods only. Tho mishap ,w;is quito accidental, and any p'-rsoti who rode in a goods lift not certificated for passengers did so at his own risk.