UNLUCKY FALL INTO RIVER

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1930, Page 4

UNLUCKY FALL INTO RIVER

MAN BUFFETED BY' CROSS-BEAMS. ACCIDENT AT URENUI BRIDGE. With practically only three more days’ work now to be done at the site of the new Uronui concrete bridge, William Dowman, an elderly workman, slipped and fell into the river, striking the cross braces in his fall. He was taken to the New Plymouth hospital with injuries to his head and back and to a bone in his chest and is reported to be progressing fa vourably. Engaged in dismantling the scaffolding of the old Urenui bridge, Air. Dowman lost his footing and hurtled downwards among the piles. As he fell his body was buffeted by the cross braces in a most remarakable way. Falling first on his back he struck one beam wind, injured his spine and forced him face downwards. A little lower he struck another beam consequently with his chest, fracturing a bone. Falling, vertically a third blow from a cross beam on his chin forced his mouth to shut so strongly that two of his teeth pierced his tongue. Suffering from concussion Mr. Dowman was dragged out of the river and recovered consciousness before the ambulance came to take him to the New Plymouth hospital. Since the contractors have been engaged on the new bridge only two notable accidents have occurred. The other man to be injured was Mr. Walter Dowman, a brother of Air. "William Dowman. About nine months ago Mr. Walter Dowman was removing his hands after placing some sacks on a pile. The trigger of the pile driving gear slipped and released a three ton monkey. Luckily Mr. : Dowman had taken one hand away altogether. The other was almost out when the monkey fell and snipped off several fingers.