INQUIRY INTO TRAGEDY ON LAUNCH

Chronicle (Levin), 27 June 1946, Page 2

INQUIRY INTO TRAGEDY ON LAUNCH

-Press Association

By Telegravh-

AUCKLAND, Juue 26. An inquest was concluded beforo tlie coronerMr. A. Addisou, pito the deallis of Dnphnc Kosaniond Lyon, aged 19. Blauche i'era Lyon, aged 17, and Charles Edward Lvon, aged 26, who died as tlie result of burns they recoived when a petrol stove expluded on ihe yaeht Hylvia rn Panmure Basin -m Februarv 2. Daphue and Blauche Lyon dicd in tlie Green Lane liospital o 11 Februarv 8 and Charles Lyon 011 February 4. Tlieir father, Williain Charles L\ 011, of "Panorama lload, Mount Wel lington, liis wife and oue ollier were injurod in tlie cxploslon. The father of deceased said that when the bonzino stove was lighled in the cabin, deceased and a friend were sitting near it. Witness aud his wife were fuftlier forward. A roaring ti amo hlled tlie cabin and ivitucss tricd to opcn tho forward hatch. This was d(>nc. He was of tho opinion Ihe olhers left tlie cabin before lie did. 11 e had ownod the yacht for a year and foi tliree weolts during Ihe Chrjstiuas per iod the stove liad bocn uscd about a dozeu times a day. Ivexineth Tuckei" said Charles Lvon was working the stove at Ihe timo oi' the explosiou. All the occupants of tho cabin execpt Mr. and Mrs. Lyon, rushed on to the deek. Dapline Lyon's clothes were smoulderiug and BlancluLyon jumped into the sea. Constable MaeLcan said when he 111 spected the cabin 011 February 4, Jio found litllc damagc of consequdn'cc. 3;Le was umible to iind any defect in the stove and it was not until later he fcund a tube had been disconnected. The ell'ect of the tube working loose would be that the benziue would be sprayed under pressure on to the lightor of the bumer. He was without doubt that it was througli the tube working loose that the cxplosion oc curred. A verdict was returned, in accordance witli the medical evideuce. that tho cause of death of the tliree deceas ed was toxaemia and shock by severe-' burns.