ACCIDENT AT WAIPORI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 6

ACCIDENT AT WAIPORI.

A MAN ELECTROCUTED. At 2 o’clock on Thursday morning Robert Patterson, a labourer, who had l>ccn employed at the Waipori works for about eight months, was found dead in the cellar, which had about 4ft of water in it. Ho had evidently gone into the cellar to have a look at the flood, or for some other unknown reason, and it is presumed that in crawling along a wall about the floor he touched one of the high-tension wires, which would be in proximity to his head. Death must have been instantaneous.

Mr Stark states that notices are posted at the works warning employees not to enter that portion of the building unless accompanied by one of the engineers in charge. About 11.30 on Wednesday night there were three short circuits on the line. One of those occurred on the pole line outside the power-house, and it is most likely that it was caused by the unfortunate man contacting the wire, so that he must have been dead about. Ihroe hours before his body was recovered. The official in charge was not aware that deceased had gone into the collar. Deceased was about 2b years of age, single, and ho gave his address on joining the service as 34 Fitzroy street, South Dunedin.

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH. Mr C. C. Graham (district coroner) held an inquest at Outram on Saturday morning into the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Paterson, aged 23 years, who was electrocuted at the Waipori powerhouse on Wednesday night. Mr H. IE Bedford represented the relatives, and Mr D. Ramsay the Oily Corporation. Constable Southgate watched the interests of the police. Dr Moody elated that he had examined the body, and found it in splendid condition. From his observations the only evidence ho could find of the cause of death was the presence of two burns on the back of the second and third fingers of the right hand. The face was florid, but of a natural colour. There was nothing to lead him to suppose that the deceased was drowned. From appearances he came in contact'with a live wire, and instantaneous death reresulted.

To the Coroner: The current would pass through the body, but ho found no evidence of its exit as the man’s feet were in the water.

Archibald George Blackwood (second engineer at the Waipori electrical works) stated that on Wednesday a pipe had buist, «nd all hands were employed erecting a bank to prevent the water from running into the powerhouse. He last saw deceased alive about 6.50 p.m. Deceased et that time came to the door of the power-houso and wanted to know where the leading labourer was. He told deceased where the gang were working, at the "other end of the power-house. Witness watched him go through the engine room, and pass the switchboard, to the lower exit, and that was the last time he saw him alive.- About 1 o’clock on Thursday morning ho was called by Mr Warren, and on going doyvn to the collar he found the body of deceased lying in about 2ft of water. Ho was quite dead, and Mr Stark and the police were at one© informed of the occurrence.

To the Coroner: He did not know why tlie deceased had gone to the cellar, as no one was allowed to enter there unless accompanied by some responsible person, on account of the danger. To Mr Bedford: Danger notices were put up at different places cautioning persons not to go anywhere unices in company with some responsible person. Those rules were strictly enforced. To Mr Ramsay: Deceased had been engaged on the works for about eight months, and was aware of the rules. In the collar marks wore found on the wire indicating that some external object had come in contact with it, and below this there wore also marks of burning on some tarpaulins, as if the current bad been carried through them.

Oswald Bertraih Reynolds, switchboard attendant, stated that at 6.50 p.m. on Wednesday he saw the deceased underneath the switchboard. Ho loft the switchboard to answer the telephone. Deceased was evidently coming to ask a question. Witness xl him to wait a minute. Just then ,as ho was about to sneak in the telephone lie saw a flash of short circuit. The flash might have come from the collar, and after it there was perfect darkness, the light not ■being restored for half an hour. To Mr Bedford: They made a search, but could not find out where the short circuit had taken place, and they supposed it had been'eaused by a splash of water on to the wires. To the JHoroncr: In the hurry he thought no more about the deceased, and did not for a moment connect him with the cause of the short- circuit. William Leipht Rackham (labourer) stated that during the afternoon he was working with the deceased removing the goods from the storeroom. Witness took a shovel to the cellar, and deceased saw him do so. At 7 o’clock witness was working with the gang at the lower end. and deceased was expected to join them. Deceased know that the gang was short of tools, and heevidently wejnt to the cellar for the shovel taken there in the Afternoon. The Coroner said that he thought the last witness’s statement explained the circumstances, and deceased must have thought that it was unnecessary to ask permission to go to the cellar for the shovel. He would return a verdict that “death was duo to the deceased having accidentally come in contact with a live wire, causing instantaneous arrest of the heart’s action. No blame was attachable to anyone.”