haymaking fatality

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 111, 17 January 1940, Page 5

haymaking fatality

ELDERLY MAN'S DEATH ACCIDENT AT EDGECUMBE

While assisting his two sons with the seasonal haymaking operations on their farm at Edgecumbe, Mr Alfred William Atkinson of Awakeri, was fatally injured by a falling beam of the stacker which had become dislodged. He died several hours later in the Whakatane Hospital where he had been removed following a medical examination Mr Atkinson was following out the usual custom of co-operative assistance during harvcsling operations, and had combined >vith his ytwo sons and son-in-law, in haymak--3,ng on a farm on (low's Estate, <SoWR Road. About 11 a.m. lie was engaged in removing hay which had accumulated round the base of the .stacker, and it is thought dislodged -one of the props, which released a stay and allowed the beam to fail heavily. He was struck on the rshouldcr, but it did not appear at first that he was severely injured. He endeavoured to carry on but n short time afterwards collapsed and had to be removed to the Whakatane Hospital, where he died in the .late afternoon. The funeral takes place to-mor-orow afternoon at 2 p.m. I

The late Mr Atkinson was born at Haggitt Hill, Rounton, Yorkshire, G1 jyears ago. He migrated as a young janan and quickly adapted himself 'to New Zealand conditions. He was particularly well known in this district where many of his family are settled. A farmer at Awakcri, he won the respect and friendship of :all he came in contact with. It is sad to recall that his wife, also met her death in a fatal accident which occurred in Rcmuera, Auckland, in tragic circumstances in 193 G. He leaves a family of six sons and three daughters: Messrs Ernest Atkinson (Whakatane), Noel Atkinson '(Waitomo), Jack Atkinson (Gisborne), David Atkinson (Wellington), Alfred and Edmund Atkinson (Edgecumbe). The daughters are Mrs Raie and Miss Joan Atkinson ol Edgecumbe and Miss Betty Atkinson of Gisborne. There are seven grandchildren. The deepest sympathy will be fell for the bereaved family.