DEATH FROM BURNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 12

DEATH FROM BURNS

MAUNGATUROTO ACCIDENT IGNITION OF BENZINE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] DARGAVILLE, Friday Tho death occurred in the Te Kopuru Hospital this morning of Mr. Edward Mahoney, aged 55, single, who was admitted last week sufferinc from severe burns, the result of the ignition of benzine at Maungaturoto. Mr. J. A. McLean, district coroner, opened an inquest, which was adjourned after evidence of identification and medical testimony had been taken. Deceased was a retired railway servant, formerly of Auckland.

Deceased was employed at the Maungaturoto Hotel, and had been there only a few days when tjie accident occurred. Early in the evening of Thursday, September 13, Mr. 'Mahoney had gone to a building aboiifc 50 yards from the hotel to replenish the tank of a petrol engine used to electric-power. As he was. pouring the benzine was ignited by a candle-lan-tern, which was standing a short distance away. Benzine wr»s splashed over his clothing, which 'was quickly in flames. With his clothes blazing Mr. Mahoney rushed into'the yard, shouting for assistance. His 'cries were heard by the occupant, of an upstairs room in the hotel, who stripped the bedclothes from a bed and threw them from a window to the yard below. Others in tbe hotel hastened to the scene and th«y used the bedclothes to smother the- flames. Mr. Mahoney's clothes were almost completely destroyed by the flames, and he suffered severe burns practically all over the body. He was immediately taken by the proprietor, Mr. J. T. Caldwell, in a motot-car to the Paparoa Hospital, a distance of nine miles. He was transferred in a St. John ambulance to TV* Kopuru Hospital, a distance of 33 mile*.