SHOCK AND FALL

Southland Times, Issue 20015, 1 November 1926, Page 8

SHOCK AND FALL

LINESMAN’S DEATH FAILURE TO OBSERVE REGULATIONS EVIDENCE AT INQUEST (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, October 31. On October 26 a telegraph linesman employed by the Postal Department, Samuel Joseph Rutledge, met his death in a railway yard as the result of a severe electric shock. The shock caused burns on his hands and caused him to fall so that he also suffered head injuries. Death was due, according to medical evidence at the inquest on Saturday, to the effects of an electric shock and fracture of the skull. John Hayes, a linesman, said he was working with Rutledge on the day of the accident. Witness told Rutledge to climb a certain post and cut a wire. Shortly after that witness heard a ladder fall and he turned to see Rutledge hanging from the power wires which were on the same pole below the telephone wires. Before witness could reach him Rutledge fell to the ground, a distance of 21 feet. Witness had thought the wires were dead and it was not considered necessary for Rutledge to wear rubber gloves. To the Coroner (Mr 11. A. Young, S.M.) : Witness said the men had instructions to treat all wires as “live” and to wear life belts fastened round the body. A pole belt would have prevented Rutledge from falling. The Coroner found that Rutledge had failed to follow instructions to linesmen and there was no blame attachable to his fellow workmen.