NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6996, 9 December 1909, Page 5

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH

ACCIDENT TO A MAORI IN NEW YORK. ' tfEOM OUlt OWN CORRESPONDENT. NEW YORK, October 30, An accident resulting in the death of. an. electrician employed at the Ne,w York Hippodrome and slight "injury to one of the Maoris who are giving exhibitions at that place of- amusement occurred-at yesterday's matinee performance. ' The Maoris were on the stage waiting for the curtain to.rise preparatory to giving one of their exhibitions in connection with the series of spectacles. entitled " Inside the Earth," when suddenly a cry was'heard above their heads, and the next moment a young electrician who had climbed up the laddeirs to a height of 70ft' to operate the side lights on the stage, fell on to the boards, striking a Maori named Hikatarewa on the head as ho fell. The Maori fell like a log, and it was feared that both, men hadf been ; killed, as they lay unconscious on the stage. After a .few moments, however, the Maori regained his senses, and in half an hour he had completelyrecovered. His great strength, for ho is one of the most powerful of.: all the Maoris, no doubt saved him from serious injury. Had. th-a falling man struck, another Maori of slight build named Eraana, who was standing close to Hikatarewa, the consequences mrightj have been more serious. The, electrician, who was twentythree years of ago, aad had only been Quarried a month,..was taken to a hospital in an ambnlance, but' lie never regained consciousness, and died a few hours later. He 'had' broken his spine and one of his legs.