FOUR SUFFOCATED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23317, 28 September 1945, Page 2

FOUR SUFFOCATED

Tragedy In Ship MELBOURNE, August 13. Four members of the crew of the British Victory ship Samarakan. berthed at Geelong, died to-day after inhaling fumes from a ballast tank, and five other men were taken to hospital for treatment. The victims were the mate, third officer, chief steward and an apprentice. The mate and three of the crew went into No. 1 hold to examine the ballast tanks. It is believed that when the mate opened one of the tanks there was a rush of foul air. and all the men collapsed. The chief s'eward made a gallant, rescue attempt, but he also succumbed. When it was realised the men were in difficulties in the hold of the vessel a rescue party went to their aid and doctors were summoned from Geelong Hospital. The doctors and first-aid men, using oxygen apparatus, worked on the four victims for some l ime without being able to revive them. One victim was in the hold lor only five minutes, but so strong was the effect of the fumes that efforts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. The ballast tank in the bottom of the ship had not been opened for some time, and it is thought it contained carbon monoxide.