DEATH OF TUNNELLER

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1929, Page 10

DEATH OF TUNNELLER

INJURIES RECEIVED EXTENSIVE. ALL PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFETY. A verdict that death was caused by collapse due to external and internal haemorrhage from injuries received in an accidental fall of earth while he was engaged in tunnelling operations at Mangatete, was the verdict returned at the inquest held at Tangarakau yesterday into the death of William O’Connor, who was enveloped in a fall of papa in No. 3 tunnel of the railway construction works beyond Tangarakau about G. 50 p.m. on Tuesday evening. The inquest was held before actingcoroner Mr. D. B. Howard, J.P., and a jury consisting of Messrs. H. H. Schweiters (foreman). G. Sullivan, B. Martin and Foster. The jury added a rider to the effect that all precautions were taken in the tunnel to endure the safety of the workers. The evidence of witnesses showed that O’Connor was working at the face of the tunnel about'22 chains from the portal. At the time of the accident he was loading a hole preparatory to blasting while Tris mate. G. Andrews, was drilling another hole alongside. Suddenly a flake of papa weighing about a ton became detached from the roof overhead and crushed O’Connor - to the floor. Andrews had a remarkable escape because O’Connor had moved him just before the fall to etart another hole in a position protected by timber. O’Connor was' found to be alive and assistance was immediately obtained. With the utmost care he was extricated from the papa and carried over the ridge to Mangaone, where Dr/ Smith, Tangarakau, was waiting. He did what he could in view of the extensive injuries, but O’Connor collapsed and died just two hours after the accident and before he could be removed to hospital. He had a compound fracture below the knee, a comminuted fracture above, a broken pelvis, and severe external lacerations, and he was crushed internally. Mr. O’Connor’s popularity was demonstrated yesterday afternoon when over 20 cars, including a bus, were required to convey the mourners from the Catholic Church. The hearse was preceded by a firing party of cadets from the Stratford Technical School marching with reversed arms, while many ex-ser-vicemen attended to pay their last respects to a former comrade in arms. TOKO EUCHRE AND DANCE. The Toko Hall was all aglow on Friday night, when the W.DjF.U. held its second euchre party and dance. The hall had been artistically decorated by Miss Kate Jones and others. There was a bell suspended from the roof and from that streamers in colours of red, white and blue were taken to the sides and ends of the hall. The effect was very pretty. Palms and streamers decorated the stage, on which was the Harmony orchestra. The floor had been specially treated by members and friends of the union, and was everything that could be desired. The bounteous supper provided by the ladies was much appreciated. The winners of the euchre prizes were as follow:—Men’s first prize, leather wallet presented by Miss Leydon, Mr. P. Blake; ladies’ first prize, presented by Mrs. T. A. Rowe, Miss F. Jones; ladies’ booby prize, Mrs. Challis; men’s booby prize, Mr. W. Parkes. There were two novelty dances, the winners being Miss J. Ferguson and Mrs. C. Claridge, and Mr. A. Lees and Miss C. Milne respectively. Miss E. Shotter won the cake.

Before presenting the prizes, the president of the Toko branch (Mrs. Maunsell) expressed the union’s pleasure at the large gathering and thanked Stratford members for attending.