TWO MEN AND BOY ARE OVERCOME BY PETROL FUMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17881, 24 June 1926, Page 14

TWO MEN AND BOY ARE OVERCOME BY PETROL FUMES.

“ GAS ” ESCAPES FROM BOWSER INTO PIT. (Special to the “Star.”) ASHBURTON', June 23. Overcome by petrol fumes, two workmen and a lad yesterday had an unpleasant experience when attempting to regain some petrol which had leaked out from a kerbside bowser. When the tank was let down into the excavation prepared for it, one of the seams in the metal sides became strained. with the result that 160 out of 500 gallons leaked out. The tank was removed. and it was found that a largequantity of the petrol was lying in the bottom of the pit. As it appeared to be clear, and as it could be easily strained, it was decided to bale out some of the valuable liquid, and one of the workmen from the garage jumped into the pit armed with a dipper. He had not filled it twice, however, before he began to lose the use of his limbs, and his eyesight began to fail. He hastily scrambled out, and another workman took his place. The new’ arrival’s quota, however, was only one dipperful, he also having to retire. So the benzine remained until a boy, who was the proud owner of a motor-cycle, eagerly undertook the work on the condition that the oetrol he won became his own property. He also discovered his incapacity, and the combined efforts of all three could account for only one tin of benzine. There were no after-effects from the fumes, however, and those concerned quickly recovered; but discretion was deemed to be the better part of valour, and the escaped benzine was allowed to evaporate.