BOMB TRAGEDY AT TRENTHAM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 176, 21 April 1919, Page 6

BOMB TRAGEDY AT TRENTHAM

"BOY KILLED: THREE OTHERS INJURED MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR A tragic accident occurred at Trontkam Camp yesterday afternoon, resulting in tije death of one boy and the injuring of three other lads. Tho boys exploded* a bomb in ono of the demonstration tronchos, not far from the spot where an offioer met his death through the premature explosion of a bomb nearly three years ago. They seem to have been in a group when the explosion occurred, and they were all struck by fragments of metal. The names of the boys were as follow;— Kenneth Waugh, killed. His parents reside in Park Avenue. Lower Hutt. Thomas Voller, wounded in the left side. His home is at 126 Hutt Road, Petona. _ Raymond Drake, wounded in the left wrist, right'. forearm, and face. His next-of-kin was stated to be Mr. H. a. dimming, William Street, Lower Hutt. Kobert Clark, injury to the right eye. He is a son of -Mr -R. Clark,/Victoria Street, Lower Hutt. The account of the accident given by the wounded boys doos not make it clear how a dangerous explosive came to bo left within their reach. They state that they found some explosive and an empty bomb case, of the kind used in tho operations of training men in the throwing of bombs. The boys filled the case with the explosivo and lit.it. They seem to have been under the impression that thev could get away beforo the explosion came, but the bomb went off immediately with great violence. 'Waugh was the nearest boy, and ivas killed immediately. The noiso of the explosion and the cries of the boys brought assistance to them quickly. The three wounded boys were removed to the camp hospital, and they were reported last night to tie making quite good progrew. The extent of the. injury to Clark'.s eye had not been determined, and it is probable that he will be brought into tho city to-day in order that he may have the atten-. tionof a specialist. Tho miury to Voller's side is serious, but n,st necessarily dangerous. It was uncertain last nHit if the lung had been penetrated. The boys were all suffering from shock. Full inquiry will be made as to the 'mnnner in which the boys became possessed of explosive. The rules m camp against the careless handling of • cartridges, bombs, or any form of explosive are very strict, -md the camp authorities state that they cannot understand Lw it became possible for the boys to manufacture their bomb. It is possible' that the lads had got possession fof some cartridges, and used the cordite to fill the bomb. Cordite burns harmlessly when fully exposed, but explodes 'violently under pressure, such as would be developed if it were burned in a bomb case.