BOMB GOES OFF IN BOY'S HAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 265, 31 January 1941, Page 6

BOMB GOES OFF IN BOY'S HAND

Frightful injuries Averc received by a 12 year old boy Avhen a homemade bomb exploded in his hands in ihe basement of the Womerahavenuc public school. King's Gross. The victim, Jack Russell of King's Cross, is in St. Vincent's Hospital. He is not expected to liA'e.

The accident occurred about one p.m., the explosion being heard by residents half a mile aAvay.

Russell, with two other boys, was playing in the grounds of the school. Gordon Collins (13), of King's * Cross Road, one of the trio, said that Russell was carrying an aluminium tin containing potassium Chlorate and sulphur.

They were walking through the low-ceilinged basement when there was a terrific explosion. Both of Russell's hands were Mown off, and his body, face and legs were badly injured. "A Game Kid'l Collins, who was walking beside him, escaped with only a few superficial burns to his left hand and left side. Late this afternoon DeL-Sgt. Millgate, Detective Stehr and members of the wireless patrol had not locat- . Ed the third boy. Within a few seconds of the explosion hundreds of residents rushed to the school gate as dense clouds of smoke poured from the basement. Mr R. F. Osborne, of Little Weststreet, King's Cross, Avas about 100 yards away in Womarah-avenue I wjien lie heard the explosion. §!., With a postman who was passing the school he jumped the fence and reached Russell as he collapsed to the ground. "He was a game kid," said Mr Osborne. "He asked for a glass of water and then said. "Do you think I'll die. You had better tell my mother'." As far as detectives could learn the three boys were the only ones on the permises. it being school holi day time. A woman in a house opposite saw the boy covered in blood, and rang Central Ambulance, which took Russell and Collins to St. Vincent's Hospital.