FALL INTO SHIP’S HOLD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20671, 9 March 1937, Page 12

FALL INTO SHIP’S HOLD

WATERSIDER’S DEATH CORONER’S INQUIRY A verdict that Joseph Kyle, a watersider worker, aged 62, died from cerebral thrombosis, associated with shock and concussion which he received when he fell down an open hatchway on the steamer Storm, on which he was working at the wharf at Timaru on February 19. was returned by the Coroner (Mr H. Morgan) at the inquest yesterday. Sergeant Vaughan conducted the proceedings for the police, Mr L. M Inglis represented the relatives and Mr W. D. Campbell for the Shipping Company. Dr. J. Campbell McKenzie, Medical Superintendent of the Timaru Hospital, stated that Kyle, who was unconscious when admitted to hospital on February 19, died the following day. As a result of a post-mortem examination he formed the opinion that death was caused by cerebral thrombosis, associated with shock and concussion. At the time of Kyle’s admission, he formed the opinion that Kyle was suffering from a stroke, which he confirmed by consultation with another doctor. As a result it was decided that no operative treatment was necessary. At the time the patient was admitted an X-ray examination of the skull disclosed no fracture. Replying to the Coroner, the witness said that the shock and concussion caused by Kyle’s falling into the hold 1 could have brought on cerebral thrombosis.

Questioned by Mr Inglis, Dr. McKenzie said he could not determine whether the stroke occurred before or after the accident. William Davidson, a wharf labourer, who was working at the after end of No. 2 hatch of the Storm on February 19, stated that Kyle was engaged with him in removing the hatch covers. One section had been lifted and a start had been made with the second portion. Kyle was standing on the hatch covers handing them to witness, who was on the deck, after removing them.

“He was bending down to pick up one of the hatch covers; he was standing with his right foot on the hatch and his left foot on the beam flange. His left foot slipped off the beam, his body pivoted round and in falling to the bottom of the hold struck the right side of his head on the beam of the open section of the hatch.” The injured man fell 19 to 20 feet. The hatch was very wet when they removed the covers; rain must have fallen the night before. There was sheep manure on the deck and round the hatch. When he reached the bottom of the hold he found Kyle lying partly on his right side. Questioned by Mr Inglis, witness expressed the opinion that Kyle fell through his foot slipping off the flange of the beam. Replying to the Coroner, witness stated that Kyle was standing with his feet 18ins apart when he fell. Alexander Thomson, a watersider, who was working on the starboard side of the ship about 9ft distant from Kyle standing on the hatch on the port side, said both Kyle and he stooped together to lift a hatch cover. “I was pulling the hatch into my hand when I saw him disappear into space,” said witness. The deck near the hatches was very slippery as a result of the presence of sheep manure and rain which had fallen the previous night. Answering the Coroner, witness admitted he did not know who was responsible to clear away the sheep manure. Alexander Joseph Day and Ralph Peter Best, wharf labourers, gave corroborative evidence. Charles H. Rudge, secretary of the Timaru Waterside Workers’ Union, said that when the injured man was brought into the waterside workers’ shed, he noticed sheep manure on his boots. The hand holds of the hatch covers were full of water and the bottom of the hold where Kyle fell was covered with sheep manure.