WORKMAN'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 12

WORKMAN'S DEATH

FALL OF CLAY FACE

FATAL COMPLICATIONS

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

The case of w workman who was injured by a fall of clay in the Auckland Citv Council's stormwater tunnel in Albert Street, City, and who later died in the Auckland Hospital from a chest complaint, was investigated yesterdaj at an inquest concerning the death of Mr. Pierce Patrick Kerwan, married, aged 64. Mr. Mackny appeared for the council, Mr. Tuck for the relatives of deceased, and Sergeant Bissett for the police. Evidence was given that deceased, who had been a miner for more than 30 years and who lived at 13 Mark Road, Mount Albert, was injured 011 February 13. A fellow-workman, James Haughton, said a heavy piece of clay fell from the face of the tunnel, the part where it broke away being five or six feet high. The clay broke in two, one portion striking deceased, who suffered a fracture of the left leg. Witness said the timber supporting the tunnel was in a satisfactory condition, and the point where deceased and he were working was considered safe. Donnel IH. P. Kerwan, a son of deceased, said his father was employed by the council for some years, and had enjoyed good health prior to the accident. Deceased was admitted to the hospital on the day of the accident, and was discharged from the institution after 10 days, with an instruction to 'return in three weeks. He complained of pains in the chest, and after medical advice was obtained he was readmitted to the hospital on March 8. His death occurred on March 28. The medical evidence given stated that deceased was originally discharged from the hospital in a satisfactory condition. An autopsy showed that clotting of the veins of the left leg had occurred. Pulmonary embolism had resulted, a piece of clot having broken off and having been carried by the blood stream to the main pulmonary artery, which it blocked just before death.

The coroner, Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., returned a verdict that the medical evidence showed that the cause of death, pulmonary embolism, was really directly due to the accident. Mr. Mackay interposed that the opinion was only that oi: tho doctor. The coroner stated that he was merely saying that the medical evidence showed the cause he mentioneS. Regarding the other evidence, it was apparent that tho work in which deceased was engaged was being carried on in the customary manner, all the usual precautions for tho safety of the having been taken.