STUPID JOKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11126, 27 July 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

STUPID JOKE.

WORKMAN HOISTED FIFTY FEET IN THE AIR. The terrible sequel to a "joke" of two British workmen was told at the Thames Police Court, when two laborers — Henry Davidson and James Limburgh — were charged with causing "grievous bodily barm" to a fellow workman, Matthew Fitzgerald. The three men, who are engaged at a Limehouse biscuit factory, were eating their breakfasts when one of them fixed the hook of a crane m a scarf which was round Fitzgerald's neck. The machinery was then started, and the unfortunate victim went swinging into the air. His frightened comrades, notTmowing how to check tbe machinery, ran up to the top floor with the intention .of catching Fitzgerald and drawing him into safety. , The scarf gave way, however. Fitzgerald fell a distance of fifty feet. It was afterwards found that his thigh was broken and that he had sustained severe internal injuries. Davidson and Limburgh both pleaded that "it was only done for a lark." Fitzgerald's life was stated to be m danger, and the two men were remanded on bail.