MAN KILLED BY FALLING TREE

Southland Times, Issue 24368, 24 February 1941, Page 4

MAN KILLED BY FALLING TREE

COMPANION INJURED An elderly man, a resident of Invercargill, was killed instantly and a fellow worker suffered injuries which necessitated his removal to the Gore Public Hospital when they were struck by a falling tree while assisting with a contract at Mataura on Saturday morning. They were: KILLED George Anderson, aged about 64 years, a single man, of McQuarrie street, Invercargill. INJURED George Murphy, a single man, of Main road, Mataura, compound fracture of the left leg. The two men were engaged on a treefelling contract on the property of Mr R. Clarke, of Doctors road, in company with Sydney John Pearce, of Invercargill. One tree was stripped ready for felling during the morning, and after the base had been chopped through the men stood back to allow it to come through a clearing. Anderson and Murphy appeared to be in a safe position, but the falling tree struck another and slewed to one side. A warning shout was given, but Anderson did not have time to jump clear, and he was crushed against the trunk of another tree. Murphy was in a less dangerous position, but the tree brushed across him, crushing his left leg and causing a compound fracture. Dr I. Woodhouse was immediately summoned, but Anderson had been killed instantaneously. Murphy was taken to the Gore Public Hospital in the Gore Ambulance. His condition last night was satisfactory. An inquest was opened before the district Coroner - (Mr A. T. Newman) on Saturday afternoon and after evidence of identification had been taken the inquest was adjourned sine die.

MAN DROWNED AT COLAC BAY

The first drowning fatality for many years occurred at Colac Bay on Saturday afternoon when Robert Ross, a mine deputy of Ohai, was drowned. Ross was with the picnic organized by the combined lodges of Buffaloes of Ohai, Nightcaps and Wairio. He had attended this annual event for some years.

He was a notable long-distance swimmer and though nearly 60 years of age he tried again, as he had done in former years, to swim out to sea. When he had been in the water some time his companions became anxious and Messrs R. N. Murray, J. MacKenzie and E. Moss launched an old and leaky boat that was on the beach. The boat had no oars so they broke a piece of driftwood and Mr Murray and Mr MacKenzie used the pieces as paddles, Mr Moss being fully occupied baling out the boat. After proceeding nearly a mile they found Ross in a very exhausted condition, but the strong current and the state of their boat prevented their approaching him closer than 15 yards. The strong wind and fierce run of the sea gradually carried them further apart, and though they paddled as hard as they could, they were unsuccessful in rescuing Ross. When the boat returned Constable G. H. Webb, of Riverton, was advised and he proceeded to the scene and began dragging operations. So far these have been unsuccessful.

Ross, who was well known in the Western District, leaves a widow and a grown-up family.

BROTHER AND SISTER DROWNED

Two young children, a brother and sister, were drowned in the Waimumu stream at the bridge near the Mataura saleyards yesterday afternoon. The victims were:

Rita Meikle, aged six years, and Mervyn Meikle, aged seven years, the children of Mr and Mrs Archibald Meikle, Main street, Mataura. After dinner yesterday Rita and Mervyn Meikle left home to go for a swim in the Waimumu stream. Rita Meikle got into difficulties in a deep hole in the stream and her brother went to her assistance, but they were both drowned. Some other children were present at the time and they secured the assistance of some passersby, who brought the bodies out of the water. Dr I. Woodhouse (Mataura) Constable L. Brazier (Mataura) and Mr C. C. W. Clarke (Transport Department. Gore) were quickly on the scene and with the assistance of some men members of the Mataura Red Cross class they applied artificial respiration for three hours without success. Everything possible was done and oxygen was also used without result. An inquest was opened before the district Coroner (Mr A. T. Newman) at Mataura last night and after evidence of identification had been given by the father of the children the inquest was adjourned :ine die. MAN DROWNED IN RIVER (United Press Association) WESTPORT, February 23. William Stephen, aged 63, single, was drowned in the Mokihinui river when a pontoon in use for conveying machinery over the river capsized. Stephen was a veteran of the South African War. Arthur Ellis, aged 21, lost an arm by amputation as the result of severe injuries from a gun shot. TRUCK CAPSIZES A half-ton truck driven by a young man, Robert Hutton, of Gore, ran off the road at Knapdale on Saturday night and capsized. Hutton received injuries to his ribs and was admitted to the Gore Public Hospital. His condition last night was satisfactory. Two passengers in the vehicle escaped without injury.