Fatal Accident at Okaiawa.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 203, 14 August 1896, Page 2

Fatal Accident at Okaiawa.

A shocking fatal accident occurred at Okaiawa on Tuesday. It appears from particulars to hand that a young man named Fred Clement, in the employ of Mr Shearer, was engaged on Monday iu getting gravel out of a pit opposite Mr Joll's dairy factory. That evening a charge was put into the bank, but it failed to bring the fall down. Next morning another attempt was made to effect the fall, the face being cracked in several places, Clement being accompanied by a son of Mr Shearer. They had not been long employed when Clement suggested that Shearer should go home and procure a ladder to enable them to work higher up in the face. Shearer accordingly started for home. In the meantime a boy named Doyle, who was looking for cows, came along, and went in to tbe pit to have a look. Then the fall occurred, burying Clement beneath tons of stone, and inflicting terrible injuries. Doyle, who was standing some distance away, was also crushed by the falling mass his head aud shoulders only being visible. Mr Betts, Jun., happening to pass, and knowing that the men had been engaged excavating, went in to see the fall, and was shocked to hear groans, and on looking around saw Doyle, who had sufficient strength to signify that Clement was buried further in. The alarm was speedily given, and Dr Pairman and Mr Hornby (chemist), of Manaia, were speedily in attendance. It was found that poor Clement was beyond human aid, and that Doyle had sustained severe and internal injuriries, and that little hope was held out for his recovery. General and widespread regret will be felt at the fatal result of the occurrence. Our readers will remember that some years ago a brother of cfeceased was killed in a gravel pit at Waingongoro, whilst Mr and Mrs Doyle, parents of the lad so dreadfully injured, have recently lost two or three children from diphtheria.

Later news reached town that the lad Doyl«, who is about 13 years of age, died at 2 o'clock.

Widespread sympathy is felt for the friends of the two deceased. Great hopes were entertained, when the lad was taken to the hotel, for his recovery, but on examination it was found that there was not the slightest chance.

Clement was most popular while young Doyle was a splendid specimen of New Zealand youth.—Star.