FATAL SHOCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22976, 2 March 1938, Page 12

FATAL SHOCK

WOEKER ON A LAIDES : r , . ;\ • FALL ACROSS POWER LINE* ' COMPANION ALSO SUFFERS - _ RESUSCITATION EFFORTS FAIU [BY TELEGRAPH OWN" CORRESPONDENT] TAIHAPE, Tuesday A linesman engaged on construction work in connection with the Taihafi Borough Council's electric scheme was electrocuted shortly before 10 o'clock this morning as a'result of coming into contact with power lines. Tlx victim was:— Mr. Donald Keith Derbidge, :iged 27, son of Mrs. M. Derbidge, of Taui: < iiiarunui, and the late Mr. C. E. Derbidge. Mr. Derbidge and Air. P. Llr.yd were engaged in preparing the present electric power poles in Kaka Road to carrv the new alternating current line when the deceased, who was ascending a ladder with the object of hand ng some gear to Mr. Lloyd at the top of the pole, fell across the power 1 lies. He was unable to recover his position on the ladder or gel: clear olr :he lines and received the fulil voltage with fatal results. Mr. Lloyd received a severe shock in trying to save the debased. Mr.'"Derbidge was taken to the Taibape Hospital, where resuscitation methods were applied without avail for over an hour by Dr. MacDiarmid and the whole of the borough's' eledtrical staff, working in relays, assisted by the hospital staff.

Mr. Derbidge had been employed by the Taihape Borough Council for the past two months or so 011 power line construction, prior to which he had been engaged on similar work for the '-\a-nganui-Hangitikei Electric-power Boa:rd. He had spent most of his life in Taihape. He was a vrell-known footballer, having represented Wangantii on several occasions. A ill inquest was opened before the district coroner. Mr. E. Lofder. this afternoon and adjourned aftei evidence of identification had been heard.