COLLAPSE OF WALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23529, 18 June 1938, Page 20

COLLAPSE OF WALL

FOUR WORKMEN INJURED CONDITION NOT SERIOUS (Peh United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 17. Four workmen were injured through being thrown to the ground when a 16foot brick wall collapsed on the site of a new building which is being constructed for Bycroft’s, Ltd., in Chancery street shortly after 4 o clock this afternoon. The injured men were: Clark Ferguson Pirrett, a bricklayer,, aged 28, married, of Mount Eden, who : suffered head injuries and shock- Percy Pennell, aged 34, single of Upper Queen street, shock and abrasions,! Charles Strong, of Nelson street, shock, and abrasions; George Bending, or Devonport, shock and bbrasions. . The site of the new building, which Is being constructed by the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd., adjoins a property which was recently destroyed by fire. Under the new by-laws there must be no intervening space between buildings on the property. /^ ere . ™ugg two brick walls about four Inches apart, and a number of bricklayers, were engaged in filling In this gap when the accident occurred. Water, seeping in behind the wall had caused the structure to weaken, and this was, apparently overlooked by the . inen, who were standing on top of the nid wall. A short scaffolding also was used; to strengthen the wall, but the combined weight of the men caused it to crumble and collapse. . _ ■ With the wall giving way their feet, the men attempted to leap clear, but they lost their glance, and fell among a pile of m f four injured men were taken to tne Auckland Hospital. After treatment in the casualty ward, Strong and Bend-, iric were able to return to their homes, but Pirrett and Pennell were admitted. They were reported to-night not ,to be in a serious condition.