HOMER TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22743, 1 June 1937, Page 10

HOMER TRAGEDY

■VERDICT AT INQUEST JURY ADDS A RIDER PREVIOUS WARNING IGNORED WORK UNDER BAD VISIBILITY [BY TELEGRAPH —I'KKSS ASSOCIATION] LWERCAKGILL, Monday A verdict that Donald Frederic Hulse and Thomas William Smith died at Homer on May 4 from injuries received as described by the medical and police evidence, such injuries being sustained through the ollice in which they were working being struck by a gale of wind and an avalanche of snow, and being completely demolished, was returned by the jury at the inquest at Lumsden to-day into the deaths of the victims of the recent avalanche at Homer Tunnel. The following rider was added:—"lt is regrettable that a rider returned touching the death of Percy Leigh Overton, who met his death at Homer or July 6, 19.'?6, under similar circumstances, was not adhered to, inasmuch as work was not suspended when visibility was bad. We further add and recommend that on no future occasions, under similar circumstances, no matter what month of the year, should work be carried on at the risk of human life. If while men are working it is found that through bad visibility in tho vicinity of the tunnel a lookout is of no practical use, work should be immediately suspended." Theories of Workers John Michael Frances, platelayer, giving evidence, said that there had been no complaints by the men about the danger of working on that particular day. In reply to a question from the acting-coroner ho said, "I do not think a look-out man would have been of any use, as the snow was on us before it could be seen." George Annesley, a tunneller, said he consider that wind was the cause of the damage, and not snow. John Nicholas Dawson, overseer, said that tho conditions were not thought to be dangerous. It was considered in previous discussions with Smith and Hulse that it would not be necessary to remove the buildings to a place of safety for another three weeks. He had not heard any complaints about danger from avalanches. Heavy Snow at Time In reply to the acting-coroner Dawson said the office in which the two men were working was built about onequarter of a chain nearer the tunnel mouth than tho crib-house demolished last year. It was snowing fairly heavily when the avalanche occurred. ''The evidence given is a full and detailed account of the tragic accident, and will, 1 think, lead you to concur with the opinion of the Public Works Department that no blame is attachable to the department," said Mr. H. J. MacAlister, who appeared for the Public Works Department. "I am glad that this aspect conies into the case, as any other view would reflect on the man who paid the highest penalty, Hulse. The avalanche occurred two months before it could be reasonably expected according to tho department's view."