BURIED UNDER PHOSPHATE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19900, 30 March 1939, Page 5

BURIED UNDER PHOSPHATE

WORKMAN SUCCUMBS FAST RESCUE FRUITLESS TRAGEDY AT WESTFIELD (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Buried under several tons of superphosphate at the Westfield chemical manure works of Kempthorne, Prosser and Company, Limited, an employee yesterday received injuries from which he died shortly afterwards. The victim was:— John Abraham Burgess, aged about 50, married, of Papakura. Speedy rescue work by several of Mr. Burgess’ workmates prevented him from being suffocated, but he was crushed about the chest by the wdghc of the material. The mishap occurred about 1.30 p.m. Mr. Bur*ess, who was employed as a laboureCin the superphosphate shed, Was engaged in operating a rotary loading mechanical plant, the mechanism of which operates in somewhat similar fashion to a harbour dredge. Which is utilised to convey the superphosphate to loading hoppers. A conveyer scoops the material from the face of a large stack of artificial manure.

Mr. Burgess was shovelling loose material close to the face of the stack when several tons rolled down from the top like an avalanche and completely buried him. Strenuous work by several other employees uncovered Mr. Burgess within less than a minute and he was extricated in a semiconscious condition. Artificial respiration treatment restored him to consciousness.

The injured man was placed in an ambulance, but he died before reaching the hospital.