Accident at Okaramio.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 101, 31 December 1897, Page 2

Accident at Okaramio.

We regret to announce an accident which, although without fatal results, was of such a serious character as to cause a large amount of apprehension in the immediate neighbourhood of Okaramio on Sunday last. It appears that Mr John Cameron, an old and much respected settler, had occasion to search an old tool box for an implement he was desirous of using, there being also in the box a miscellaneous collection of articles, amongst which was a quantity of gunpowder. Whilst Mr Cameron was turning over the contents of the box one of the children, attracted by a piece of flint, asked for what purpose the stone was used, and Mr Cameron, to give a practical illustration of the use of flint and steel, struck the flint a blow with the blade of his knife. The resulting spark, by mischance, unfortunately alighted upon some loose gunpowder, Causing an explosion of such force that the box was shattered and the contents hurled indiscriminately amongst those present. Mr Cameron, who was leaning immediately over the box; received the full shock, his face, head, and chest being fearfully burnt, and it was at first feared that his eyesight was lost. The force of the explosion can be gauged from the fact that two ninefeet sheets of the galvanised-iron roof were lifted six inches, whilst two pieces of the flying debris penetrated the clothes and caused further wounds on the abdomen of the already injured man. Mr Cameron, on noticing the spark fall upon the unprotected gunpowder, removed, with an instinctive action, two flasks of gunpowder that were lying in the box, and the explosion was thereby rendered less severe. The sufferer was, with all speed, removed to Havelock for medical attention, and, we are glad to report, is, at latest advice, progressing as favourably as can be expected, and that his eyesight will not be permanently injured.