SHOCKING FATALITY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1289, 12 November 1896, Page 40

SHOCKING FATALITY.

A shocking fatality occurred on the steamer Rakpia during the voyage of that vessel from London to Wellington, and that, too, when the ship had nearly reached her destination. The facts of the case are particularly distressing. The victim was a young man named P. Casey, 18 years of age, who had come out as an ordinary seaman. It appears that last Tuesday morning—the day the Rakaia left Hobart —Casey, with six other men, was engaged in trimming the coal in the ship's bunkers —an occupation at which the crew had been engaged for about three weeks previously. About dinnertime, young Casey was missed, and, while a search for him was being made under the guidance of the chief officer, a report came from the engineer on watch to the effect that a man's arm could be seen projecting from under the coals which were running into the stokehole. On the body being recovered, it was found that it was that of the missing man, and life was extinct. Jt is surmised that deceased fell down the bunker, was stunned by the fail, and, the coals pouring on to him, he was suffocated. The unfortunate man was buried at sea next day. It is understood that the parents of Casey belong to Napier, and some time ago they, with their children, went to the Old Country. They returned to the Colony by the Tongariro last Thursday, and went on to Napier in the Rotomahana the same day. Ihe young man who has met with this untimely end had also intended returning with the other members of the family in the Tongariro, but, as the coming of such a large family entailed a heavy expense, it was decided that if possible he should work his passage on the Rakaia. Accordingly the poor fellow shipped as one of the crew of the latter steamer, with the sad result above stated. No blame whatever is attachable to anyone for the accident. Young Casey wa-s exceedingly popular with both officers and crew of the Kakaia, and his melancholy death cast a gloom over the ship, which has not yet been dispelled. Sincere s.vmpathy will be felt for deceased's relations, who, while in Wellington, mentioned to some friends that their son was coming out on the Rakaia (which left London a day alter the Tongariro) and they would soon all be reunited.