SERIOUS INJURIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 84, 6 November 1939, Page 5

SERIOUS INJURIES

DETONATORS EXPLODE

MAORI LOSES RIGHT HAND

The explosion of detonators, while drying fuse on his farm at Paroa, resulted in the admission to the Whakatane Hospital shortly after noon on Thursday of Mr John Wineti, a Maori, aged 39. Gelignite was lying close to the fire and some of the gelignite ignited causing the detonators to explode and blow off Mr Wineti's right hand and inflict shocking injuries to his face. He crawled a quarter of a mile to a drain and was found there by two of his sons, soaking his arm in the water. The boys secured the assistance of Mr Ferguson, who farms on the adjoining property and he conveyed the injured man to hospotal in his car. Mr Wine'ti's condition is still fairly serious. Despite frequent reports in the press of accidents with explosives, farmers and others having a use for them still .refuse to exercise care in their handling. It has been brought to their notice repeatedly that Avhile it seems perfectly safe, a strong element of danger aliways exists and the risk should not be taken. Gelignite ignites easily and if placed in an oven, as sometimes it is for the purpose of drying, the confined space is liable to cause an explosion. Detonators will explode by heat or concussion and extra precautions are necessary with them.