Untitled

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 608, 15 February 1921, Page 6

A strange occurrence., the first of its kind to happen in Invercargill and probably without parallel in the Dominion, took place at Mr. George Gibbs’ wood and coal yard at Gladstone recently (says the Southland Times). An electric wire which conveys the current necessary to operate a circular saw in the yard, became broken and the current was conducted along the damp roofiing and was earthed. The ground was saturated with the previous night’s rain,j and an innocent and unsuspecting horse which advanced within the danger zone, had its career cut short with startling suddenness. The horse’s shoes apparently made a good “ connection ” with the charged ground, and after a lit of trembling the horse collapsed and died. Mr. Gibbs saw the horse fall and dashed forward, but as soon as he touched its body, he was hurled back violently several yards, receiving a bad shock. A lad, who also went forward to assist,, touched the horse’s shoe, and met with a similar fate, and it was deemed wise to leave;any further dealings in electric current to an expert. One was summoned, and the danger was removed.