The Karangahake Fatality

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1124, 20 October 1904, Page 2

The Karangahake Fatality

Coroiiial Inquiry We continue our report, from tho point of leaving off yosterday, of tho coroiiial in-> quiry into tho circumstances surrounding tho doalli of Walter Georgo Ings, who received fatal injuriss in tho railway tunnel near Karangahake, Georgo Carnick do. posed that ho was working in tlio tnnnel at tho t-imo of tho aicidonl, Ho washelping to atrotch the line, aud was about 20 feet away. He heard tho fall, Thoy had no warning. Ho sang out, but got no response. Ho tbon ran back and fouud Shaw lying on tho floor of the tunnel. Home lumps of rock woro lying on his legs, Thoy did not cxamino tho ground that morning, Ho did not help to rescue Ings, The action of tho air since tho tunnoi had been oponod right through had a tendency to increase tho danger. They had not heard of any complaints about the country being unsafe. All precautions woro taken, The bosses frequently oxamined tho tunnel to poo it tho workings wore safe, Shaw Was a most careful man. Ho heard Shaw remark about a week ago that tho ground was not too KODd, but ho thought it would stand.

George Oraig, medical practitioner, said he had examined deceased at tho tunnel, He was tbon in a slato of collapse, suffering from compound fraotnro of both bonos of his right log, and a fraotnro of both bonos of his loft leg, fraetu'o of tho 3piuo, aud a ponotrating wound in tho abdomon,' He died about twenty minutes after his (witness) arrival, Tho causo of death was shock duo to injuries. Duncan Adams, who was workiii" in the tunnel at tho timooi'tho accident, gavo arroboratiyo evidence to former witnesses.

Thomas Doiiokliuc, foreman, said that it was tho duty ot tho shilt-bosses to SCO tho tunnoi was safo. They woro all perfectly reliable mon. THE VERDICT

Tho jiir.y roturnod the following verdict: —" That Walter Georgo Ings met his death as tlio result of injuries received in tho railway lunuel, no blamo boing attached to any person." A rider was added" That it is the opinion of this jury thai in future more care should fco lokon in tho examination of ground by tho shift bosses about wlioro moil aro going to work, as thoy consider that tho ground is more dangerous sinco tho heading has been brokon through,'-