WHARF FATALITY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11253, 4 July 1922, Page 5

WHARF FATALITY

ABLE SEAMAN KILLED FALL FROM “JACOB’S LADDER” INTO SEA. STRIKES HEAD ON FENDER. Shortly after 6 o’clock last night George Georgeson, an able seaman on the Matatua, was rejoining his vessel, lying at the wharf, by means of the rope ladder, known as “Jacob’s ladder,” when he slipped off the ladder, and it is thought struck his head on one of the big wooden fenders, used to fend the vessel off from the wharf, and fell into the water. Two of his mates who were with him at the time jumped in after him and 1 got him out, and Constables Cleverley and Munro endeavoured for some time to restore him to life by means of artificial respiration. Dr Faulke, who was called in, could, however, only pronounce life extinct. The body was conveyed to tho morgue in the Harbour Board’s ambulance. An inquest will be held, probably to-day or to-morrow. Tire deceased was about 50 years of age and a native of Scotland. It is not known whether he had any relatives in New Zealand. In order to prevent riiip rats getting ashore, the health regulations now require vessels lying at the wharves to be kept at night four feet away from the side of the wharf by means of heavy wooden fenders, and no gangways are allowed to he used. People going on hoard at night have, therefore, to übo the rope ladders above referred to, which are thrown down to them on their hailing the deck. The deck of the Matatua would he about twenty feet above the wharf at the time ; but it is understood that Georgeson had only mounted two or three of the rungs when he slipped and fell.