PREMATURE EXPLOSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21298, 27 September 1932, Page 8

PREMATURE EXPLOSION

RELIEF WORKERS HURT MAN INJURES BOTH HANDS ACCIDENT WHEN BLASTING- fl Three men were injured, one seriously, •; in a blasting accident which occurred in | the Training College ' grounds, Mount Eden, at aboufc 2.30 yesterday afternoon. | The injured men, who were engaged on relief work in the grounds, are:— Mr. James McQuinlan, married, aged 64, of 54 Mountain View Road, Morning, side. Injuries to both hands and to fate. Admitted to the Auckland Hospital, where his condition is regarded as fairly serious. ' Mr. Alfred Brett, of 1 Cobden Street,' Newton. Slight injuries to right hand. - Mr. Arthur Ensor, of 52 Spring Street, Onehunga. Injuries to left eye; not serious.

A large number of relief workers is engaged on improving the grounds at the Training College, and the three injured men, with others, were doing quarrying work on the sloping ground leading from the college buildings toward the Drive. It is stated that a bore had been drilled and that powder was being placed into it preparatory to blasting when it suddenly exploded. The injured men stated that no detonator had been placed in the bore and that no gelignite or similar form of explosive was in use.

A member of the St. John Ambulance Association was among those employed on relief works at the college, and he rendered first aid to the three men. Later they were conveyed to hospital by the ambulance,

Mr. McQuinlan's injuries were fairly serious, necessitating the amputation of the thumb and one finger of his left hand, which had been badly hurt. In addition, he was suffering from severe shock. Mr. Brett was treated in the casualty ward and Mr Ensor in the eye depart-, ment, but neither was admitted to hospital.