TWO KILLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23078, 1 July 1938, Page 10

TWO KILLED

LARGE FALL" OF GRAVEL TRAGEDY IN QUARRY DISCOVERY MADE lATEB RAIN LOOSENS THE FACE [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN DUNEDIX, Thursday \ A tragedy occurred at what "is known as Gravelly Gully, about 14 miles ironi Cromwell, on the Cromwell-Pembroke Road, at about 10 a.m. to-day, when two men were killed as a result of a fall of gravel estimated at about 50 cubic yards. The victims were: Mr. Alexander O'Rourke, aged 60, single, labourer, of Hawea Flat. Mr. Dugald Robertson, aged 22, single, labourer, of Hawca Flat. The men were working at tho base of a 30ft. face preparing a site for a gravel elevator. There were no witnesses of the tragedy. Apparently the fall was caused by the recent heavy rains loosening tho face; which evi-. dently collapsed without warning, completely burying Mr. Robertson, while only Mr. O'Rourke's head was visible. The fatality was discovered at about 11 a..m. by Mr. William Smith, road contractor, of Pembroke, by whom the men were employed. Medical aid was called, but when Dr. Austin, of Cromwell, arrived tho men were dead. Ho was of the opinion that death had probably occurred between one or two hours previously and had been practically instantaneous. Mr. Robertson was a son of Mr. Lindis Robertson, of Hawea Flat, and Mr. O'Rourke was a native of Ireland and is believed to havo no relatives in I this country.