FITTER’S DEATH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18851, 14 April 1931, Page 2

FITTER’S DEATH.

CRUSHED BY CONDENSER COILS. BOLTS TAMPERED WITH. By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. April 13. “There is no doubt that bolts and nuts on the condenser coils were interfered with by someone,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., Coroner, at an inquest concerning the death, of John Patrick Logan (48), who was killed when a heavy condensing plant at the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company's premises at King’s Wharf, collapsed on March sth. James Stoddart Thomas, chief engineer for the Freezing Company, said that at the time of the accident four men, including deceased, were engaged in fitting up a condensing plant. Deceased was the fitter in charge. Witness was informed that the coils had fallen, and on arrival he found deceased and another man pinned between two coils which weighed about a ton each. “There were three anchor bolts on the plant, and within a quarter of an hour of the accident the nuts on the bolts were properly screwed up,” said witness. “After the accident one bolt with a nut off was In the standard, while the other two bolts were found on the floor. I can only come to the conclusion that the nuts had been removed from the bolts. They could not have come off on their own.”

Other witnesses expressed the opinion that the bolts had been tampered with. In returning a verdict that deceased died from injuries received through a condenser coil accidentally falling upon him, the Coroner remarked that there was no doubt that the bolts and nuts on the condenser coils had been interfered with. There was no evidence, however, to justify further comment, although the inquiry had been most thorough.