EXPLOSION OF GELIGNITE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12198, 24 July 1925, Page 4

EXPLOSION OF GELIGNITE

COUNTY EMPLOYEE KILLED VICTIM BADLY .MUTILATED. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, July 23. A distressing accident occurred at Kaka Point, near Port Molyneux, about 12.30 p.m. to-day when a man named Frederick Oliver Bates was killed almost instantaneously through an explosion of gelignite. He was employed as A surfaceman 1 .by the Clutha County Council, and was working on the road at Kaka Point. There is a small quarry nearby, and during the lunoh hour while the other workmen were absent deceased collected a quantity of gelignite, which was frozen hard through the cold weather, and was warming it ewer a fire in the open when an explosion occurred. Ha was badly mutilated , about the head and shoulders, and his right hnnd was practically blown off. No one witnessed the accident. His son, aged about 16 years, was with him previous to the adjournment for lunch, ibut wms working further along the road when the explosion actually occurred. The unfortunate man died 25 minutes afterwards. Drs. fitenhouse and Radcliffe went, from Balelutha immediately after the accident had been reported, but on their arrival found that Bates had expired some time previously. Deceased' was 54 years of age.