FIVE MEN GASSED

Southland Times, Issue 19461, 28 January 1925, Page 8

FIVE MEN GASSED

MISHAP AT DUNEDIN. A sudden escape of coal gas at a Corporation job in St. Andrew street, Dunedin, yesterday morning, rendered five men hors de combat for a short time. The mishap occurred at about 10 o’clock. Foreman R. Williamson and a party of eight or nine Corporation men w’ere working at the King street corner preparing for a future extension of the main along King street. AH precautions had been taken. On each side of that section of the 12in main whiffh was being worked on a rubber bladder had been inserted in the pipe and blown up to prevent any escape of gas while the men were working. The job w-as just nearing completion when the vibration caused by working on the pipe burst the bladder, and the gas came out at full pressure. The men engaged on the job soon showed the effects of inhaling the gas, and five of them —J. Smith, J. G. Golightly, V. Turner, A. Skeet. and D. Stewart—were rendered temporarily unconscious. They were quickly removed, and the fresh air brought them round in a few minutes. Restoration was greatly facilitated by the help of the lady in charge of an hotel close by, who supplied hot milk. Gas inspector C. Frye borrowed a rubber mask and coat from Superintendent A. G. Napier, of the Dunedin Fire Brigade. With the help of these, matters were soon set to rights. A. Skeet, who was wearing the mask, was sickened by breathing the compressed air, but he soon came round. The mishap—one of a rare type, fortunately—was without serious effects. All the men were working in the afternoon.