FATAL ACCIDENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1954, 26 September 1888, Page 3

FATAL ACCIDENT.

A TERRIBLE AFFAIR.

A terrible accident, with a fatal result, ocourred at Wakannl yesterday, the vlotlm being a youth named Samuel Kennedy, 19 yeara of age, and the eldest eon of Mr Hagh Kennedy, of Elgin and who was employed at Mr E. Thomas' Wakanui Flour Mill- The deceased was it appears going to sharpen a grubber on a grindstone, the latter being driven by a belt attached to the shaft of the mill wheel from which the power to drive the machinery iv the building is derived. It was m putting tho belt on the shaft that the accident happenod. Young Konnody apparently got^his arm entangled m the bolt and was immediately drawn round tbe shaft. This latter revolves m a spaoa between heavy beams 3ft 6in apart, and as tbe unfortunate youth waa whirloi round his heai was dashed against the beams with each revolution of the shaft. Mr Cockburn, the nrller, on entering the | building had bis attention arroßted by a peculiar noise, which ho found to be caused by poor Kennedy's boots and head striking again Bt the beams. Mr Oockburn at once rushed and stopped tho mill wHeel and came to the assistauca of tho youth. A terrible sight awaited him. Ihe arm whioh had been entangled In the belt was torn away from the body, and remained In the nooje of the leather, whioh apparently had oaught tbe limb and so cached the lad's doom. Poor Kennedy was twisted round the shaft, hla head frightfully battered, and his olothoa rent ar.d torn. The heavy beams wora splashed with blood, and a lar^e pool on the fl ior testified to the terrible battering to whioh the unfortunate yonth had been subjected. Mr Oookburn cnt tho lad d iwn aud Oirriod tbe mangled body to Mr Thomas' home, sending away for Dr Trevor, The latter was apeedily on the spot, but young Kennedy died about two minutes after his arrival, Ho never regained conaolousneaa after the accident, the only sign of life be gave being two or three dlsj ilntod aentencas uttered when he waa taken off the shaft by Mr Cckbarn.

An lnqaost was held at Mr Thomas' house this ftfternoon, before Maj >r Steward, Actlng-Ooroner, when a verdlot m acooidanoe with the facts wua returned.