A BRAVE ACTION

Otago Witness, Issue 4057, 15 December 1931, Page 5

A BRAVE ACTION

ATTEMPT TO SAVE COMRADE TWO MEN RISK THEIR LIVES. AUCKLAND, December 8. The brave action of two employees of the Auckland Electric Power Board who recently descended into a bunker of hot coal ashes at King's Wharf power station in an attempt to save the life of one of their fellow workers was commended by the coroner and counsel at the inquest concerning the death of Harry Rosser Strong. The deceased, who was 51 years of age, was foreman at the power station. On November II while endeavouring to open a blockage in the ash bunkers the deceased took up a position on top of the ashes. lie lost his footing and became practically buried in the ashes before being rescued by two other workers, Angus Finlayson and Patrick Keenan. He died aE the Auckland Hospital six days later. Counsel who represented the Auckland Power Board said he had been asked to make reference to the bravery of Messrs Finlayson and Keenan. The board considered these men could not be too highly commended, as in descending into the bunker in an endeavour to save Strong they undoubtedly' risked their own lives. The coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M.) also paid a tribute to the men who, he said, had shown great presence of mind and courage. In evidence Patrick Keenan said that at the time of the mishap he was on the stokehold floor directly under the ash bunker. When he heard a cry from above he knew that someone had fallen into the bunker. “ I went up to the bunker and saw the deceased buried up to his neck in hot ashes,” said witness. “ Another man, Finlayson, and I got down into the bunker to assist deceased. Finlayson took hold of the deceased by the arms and I held on to Finlayson, but we found it impossible to release the deceased. I called out for a rope and also for the chute to be closed. We fixed a rope on to the deceased and had him pulled up to the platform. . Robert Everett Price, an inspector'of factories for the Labour Department, expressed the opinion that it was not imperative for a worker to take up a position on the ashes. By doing so, however, he would gain freedom of action and would be able to clear the bunker with greater rapidity. A verdict of accidental death was returned by the coroner, who said that no blame could be attached to anyone. The decease was a conscientious worker, but he had been unwise in entering tin bunker.