ELECTRIC FATALITY

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 65, 10 March 1933, Page 3

ELECTRIC FATALITY

Maori Boy’s Death CLIMBED A POWER I’OLE MADE CONTACT WITH 11,000 VOLT LINE Electrocution caused the death of a 13-year-old Maori boy,. Hetariki Arapata Hakiwai, at Fernhill last evening, due to his coming in contact with an 11,000 volt power line situated at the top of a 70-foot steel pole. The boy had been in the habit of ascending half-way up the pole, which was situated on the river-bed at the back of the Omahu Pa, in order to look for his cows. On this occasion, however, due no doubt to his being unable to see the cows from his customary position, the boy decided to ascend higher. He was warned against doing so by another Maori boy who was passing on his way toward the pa, but, ignoring the caution, deceased continued climbing until he had reached the top. Here he evidently came in contact with the wires, for his companion, who had proceeded to the pa, heard a report similar to that of a shot, whereupon he informed the residents of the pa. who immediately hastened to the scene of the accident. Upon arriving at the pole they were met with the sight of the boy lying dead on the ground with his clothes in flames. Death, apparently, was instantaneous. At the moment the unfortunate boy

i , touched the wires it had the effect of [ automatically operating the power ; board’s circuit-breakers, which im--1 mediately cut off all power in the sur- ! rounding district. ‘ Upon the particular pole which the • boy climbed were four of the customary notices warning persons against touching the poles, let alone climbing it, and in ascending to the top the boy must have passed over two of the signs. An inquest is being held by the Hastings coroner at the Omahu Pa today.