EXPLOSION IN DRURY FELLMONGERY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 14, 7 April 1927, Page 9

EXPLOSION IN DRURY FELLMONGERY

ONE MAN KILLED

ANOTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED

MASS OF WRECKAGE

One man lost his life and another was severely injured in an explosion at Mr. A. Donald’s feilmongery at Drury this morning. The casualty list is as follows: HENRY GEORGE ROULTON, aged 30, of Clark Road, Papakura, dead. ALEXANDER DONALD, aged 42, of Pukekohe, seriously injured. The explosion occurred at 5.30 o’clock this morning. The two men mentioned above were the only occupants of the shed containing the big hydro, a machine used for drying wool. The deafening noise of the explosion drew other workers to the scene. They found Mr. Donald lying in a huddled heap beside the hydro. His companion, Mr. Roulton, was on the other side of the machine, seriously injured. It is not definitely known how the mishap occurred, as none of the other workmen saw it happen. The injured men were quickly carried to an adjoining shed, where they received medical attention. Every effort was made to relieve the pain of the injured men until the arrival of the St. John Ambulance to take them to the Auckland Hospital. Mr. Roulton was not dead when he was found, but his injuries were so severe that little hope was held out for his recovery. He died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Tie is a married man and is survived by his widow and a family of three children. Mr. Donald is also a married man. He was taken to the operating theatre immediately he arrived at the hospital. The full extent of his injuries is not yet known. The explosion, which was heard some distance away, must have been one of some force, as one side of the shed was blown completely away. Another portion of the building was also badly shattered. Mr. Roulton and Mr. Donald were attending the hydro, which is a large cylindrical, steel machine used for wringing the water out of wool. It had been in use for about 20 years. The cause of • the explosion is a mystery, but the steel cylinder was shattered and pieces of the metal, two inches in thickness, were hurled in all directions. The feilmongery works are situated about half a mile on the Auckland side of Drury. The injured men were attended by Dr. D. Mcßae, of Main South Road, Papakura. Mr. Donald, the proprietor of the works, is suffering from a broken arm and injuries to his body. It is expected that he will recover.