INJURIES PROVE FATAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21879, 15 August 1934, Page 12

INJURIES PROVE FATAL

CONTACT WITH POWER LINE ACCIDENT THREE MONTHS AGO The death occurred in the Auckland Hospital last evening of Mr. Frederick Freeth, aged 46, of Glen Eden, who had been in a serious condition since his admission on May 26 suffering from severe burns and shock received when a guy wire of a radio mast he was erecting came in contact with an electric-power line carrying 11,000 volts. Mr. Ft-eeth, who was a sawmiller in the firm of Lang and Freeth and Company, Waikauku Road, Glen Eden, was erecting the mast at his residence near the firm's mill and was being assisted by an employee, Mr. Jack Grahame. He was tightening a guy wire under a high tension line while Mr. Grahame stood on the roof of the house steadying the mast near the corner of the building. When the guy wire became taut it made contact with the powerf line and Mr. Freeth was unable to release his grip. Mr. Freeth was saved from instant death only by the presence of mind of Mr. Grahame, who pushed the wooden mast so as "to break the contact between the wires, but Mr. Freeth suffered severe burns and a general shock. It was later found necessary to amputate a leg, which had been badly burned.