ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14700, 7 December 1909, Page 8

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

(Per United Press Association.) PAIIIATUA, December 6. Oliver Johnston, aged about 25- years, a single man, a rabbiter by occupation, was drowned in the Aohanga River at tho crossing to Handysides about* 9 o'clock last night. Ernest Cooling, a shepherd, single, was drowned in the same river at the Waiotiaki Ford, about 10 o'clock last night. The river was flooded on account of a heavy thunderstorm which occurred yesterday afternoon along the Puketoi 'Range. CHRISTCHURCH, . December 6. A serious railway accident happened at Melhven this morning. Just before tlie morning train left for Christcluirch a railway porter named Frank Sturgess, whilst engaged in shunting operations, got jammed between two trucks. It seems there were two loaded waggons kicked on to one of tho sidings by the engine, and owing to the strong nor'west wind blowing at tho time the waggons were going beyond their required distance. Sturgess was engaged putting the.brake oil, but before he could get this done another truck came upon him from behind and caught- him, cutting and bruising his thigh and legs very badly. WELLINGTON', November 6. Advices from Blenheim state that Arthur William Tolhurst, aged 23, a native of New South Wales, was drowned wlriki bathing in the Opawa River. A man named William Poach, while walking along tlw Waitati railway platform' yesterday, slipped and fell, injuring the side of his face. lie was taken to tho Hospital for treatment.