ACCIDENT ON SHIP.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20171, 25 February 1931, Page 15

ACCIDENT ON SHIP.

WATERSIDE WORKERS INJURED. TWO IN SERIOUS CONDITION. [THE PEES 3 Special Service.] AUCKLAND. February 24. A Berious accident on the steamer Port Fremantle, caused by a falling derrick, badly ■ injured three waterside workers who were working at the winch this morning. A number of other men had a very narrow escape. The injured are:— Mr Alexander Williams, aged 62 married.—Fractured skull and severe facial injuries. His condition is critical. Mr Arthur Harman, aged 51, married.—Extensive head injuries. His condition is serious. Mr William Barr, single. —Injuries to back and right knee-cap. His condition is not serious.

. The accident occurred, while the men were getting the derrick ready for loading cargo ac the Queen's yVharf. The derrick, the beam of which is of steel, over 30ft long, and weighing 24 tons, fell with -a crash from the boat deck, striking the three men in its descent. After the derrick 1011, one end rested on the wharf, and the other against the deck rails, which were torn down b.y the impact. Several men who were standing on the wharf scattered only just in time to prevent other casualties. Mr Barr was at the winch; Mr Harman was at the compressor, which acts as a brake; and Mr Williams was paying out the rope. Without warning, the rope commenced to slip, and the boom came down with tremendous force, the goose-neck . which fastens it to the mast jumping out of its socket. This end of the, boom felled Mr Barr, and Mr Harman > to the deck, while Mr Williams, it is i>i» sumed. was struck a blow t on the head by the wire rope, which swept the deck like a whip. Two ambulance motors were # dispatched to, the scene. The injurea men, lying in stretchers', were hoisted from the deck by an electrio crane into the ambulances, and hastened to the Auckland Hospital.