PINNED UNDER ENGINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18627, 24 July 1930, Page 8

PINNED UNDER ENGINE.

RAILWAYMAN FATALLY SCALDED COMPANION INJURED. By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, July 23. Scaldted by steam while pinned beneath an overturned locomotive on the railway near Mahia at midday, Robson Mac k wood, of Western Springs, received injuries from which he died in Auckland Hospital. R. Leigh, of Papakura, Mackwood's companion on the engine, was also scalded and bruised, but after receiving medical attention he was able to proceed home. While engaged on the duplication of the main line to Papakura, Mack wood and Leigh were operating a locomotive which comprised a donkey engine geared to the wheels of a truck. A load of filling had been emptied from a rake of nine trucks on a temporary line, and the return journey for another load had been commenced, when the engine left the rails, overturned, and fell down an embankment. Besides the driver, three of the workers were standing on the locomotive. All except Mackwood managed to jump clear, but although Leigh avoided being pinned down, he too was caught by escaping steam. Mackwood was pinned by one arm beneath the engine, from which a fierce jet of steam played over his face and chest. In spite of the risk of scalds, the other men on the line got close to Mackwood, and dug him from under the engine within a few minutes. Mackwood’s condition was critical, and he died in hospital eight hours later. He was 42 years of age. He was married, and had a family of six, all under ten years of age.