PINNED UNDER CRANE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23260, 1 February 1939, Page 12

PINNED UNDER CRANE

INJURED MAN'S COURAGE ORDEAL LASTS TWO HOURS ACCIDENT AT ONEHUNGA Pinned under a fallen crane for two hours, i k remarkab!!e courage was shown yesterday morning by Mr., William Dewhurst. a fitter, aged 47, married, of 3 Albany Road, Heme Bay, an employee of Winstone, Limited. The accident occurred at the; firm's sandpit at the wharf at the end of Princess Street, Onehunga, shortly after eight o'clock. Mr. Dewhui'st suffered extensive injuries to his legs. He retained consciousness all the time efforts were being made to extricate him and when he was finally freed he was smoking a cigarette. With two other workmen Mr. Dewhurst was in the cab of the crane when it collapsed. The others, Mr. Thomas Alfred Kemp, the foreman, of 58 Cardwell Street, Onehunga, and an apprentice, Owen Dawson, of 28 Kegina Street, Grey Lynn, jumped clear and escaped injury. Mr. Dewhurst was caught by the legs between the wreckage and the concrete foundation. Dr. .James Kirkwood, of Onehunga, and a &t. John ambulance were summoned, and efforts were immediately made to free Mr. Dewhurst. He was given an injection to deaden the pain, and Dr. Kirkwood and the ambulance driver crawled under the wreckage to assist him, in spite of the danger that it might have fallen further. The wreckage was cut away with saws and Mr. Dewhurst was freed by the use of jacks and crowbars. He was taken to the Auckland Hospital in the ambulance. His condition last night was considered serious. >.