GIRL ELECTROCUTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 197, 23 August 1935, Page 6

GIRL ELECTROCUTED

HUNTERVILLE FATALITY VICTIM GRASPS LIVE WIRE AVheu about tu take a short cul through a paddock in order to reach her home, Llorien Olga Smith, aged 7 years, grapsed a “live” wire and was electrocuted yesterday. The incident occurred some eight miles from Hunterville, and it is surmised that a power line brought down in the stormy weather had formed the medium through which the fatal electric current was transmitted to the fencing wire. Accompanied, by several other chil dren, the little girl Smith had remarked that she intended to take the short cut through the paddock. As she grasped the wire she cried out and collapsed. Her companions, frightened at the strange occurrence, fortunately refrained from attempting to puli the wire away from her hands, but they summoned the assistance of a nearby farmer, Air. Ellis, who grasped the gum boots worn by the victim of the . accident and pulled the body away from 1 the wire. Life was apparently extinct, but Dr. Pitcaithly, of Hunterville, add Dr. Dick, of Alarton, were summoned. After examination they could only con firm the fears of the rescuers of the child. The little girl was a daughter of Mr. and Airs. D. 8. Smith, of I’utorino. Her father is employed as a shepherd by Air. E. O. Pryce, of Rata. 4’he power line which had become connected with the fence conveyed cur rent to wool-wash works, which are at present in disuse. Though it is not known definitely how long the line had been down, it is surmised that it had been brought down within the past three days. The line had become coiled round the fencing wire, probablj by the force of the wind.