SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1957, 14 January 1914, Page 8

SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT.

BUILDING PWJAPSWS & BURIES TEE INMATES. 'jf .(By Telegraph.—Priw'' Association.! . Dunedln, January 13. Ahout 11.30 a.m. to-day a, north-west wind developed into a gale, which lastsd for nearly an hour, and (hiring thai! time a sensational experience befell Miss Mary Miller, a typiste for 'Messrs. Lovo Bros., builders i>ml contractors, at Port .Chalmers, , Mr. .It. Love, of that firm, and Mr. Thomson, travoller for Messrs. Paterson and Barr. Messrs. Love Bros.' yards and offices adjoin tho old "Bond," a three-story brick building, and an office, store, and plumber's shop,abut.on tbo.wiills.of the old brick building. In the midst of the gale tlin fi.iblo end of the "Bond".at the third floor collapsed outwards, smothering Messrs. Love Bros.' offices with tons of brick's and .mortar. The gap left in the wall, covered ,an 'area measuring roughly 35ft., by ,15ft., and the; whole , of this mass'fell' wrtli "'a,, deafening crash upon Messrs.. Lave Bros! office and plumber's shop, completely wrecking both buildings. Assistanco was immediately forthcoming, hut the rescuers found that tho roof of tho office had collapsed under tho, weight of the debris, and Miss Miller'was found-to be, pinned, clown bv tho roof timbers, which, however,' had fallen across the safa 'and.thus , kent some of the weisrht olf the- young -lady. She was finally lifted mil; from amongst the wrcckago ve.rv badlv bniis'cd'and suffering severely from shock, but apparently having escaped more serious, injury. Mr. J.orc had boon sittin? at a. table in conversation with Mr. Thomson when the crash came, but the latter gentleipnn liajineiind to bo near the front dwr of the office, and the front of this l)'ui'd.!iig' rompiiiad' upciglit 'unci kopt-the roof fj'oln {collapsing oyer ; ! the snace of nboiit two'yprds in whioili' Mr. Thomson found himself an unwilling prisoner. Mr.-Love v. - as lesr. fortuiip.tc. A rafter fell across his neck and shoulder, pinning him down in'his chair and rendering him. to n>ovn until .willing hands-lifted*'the fallen t.imberß from him nnd carried him out. Fortnnatoly escannd with a few minor bnifses. "Mr! Thomson'w,i.s afterwards rescued, and was found to havo escaped!injury...;-. . ~- ;...,; . -