A FATAL ACCIDENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1924, Page 1

A FATAL ACCIDENT.

DEATH OF WM. MtFADYEN

The community was shocked yesterday evening when the news went round that a fatal accident had happened at Bruce Road mill. Kanieri Lake road, whereby Air Wm. McTadveii had his life.

The accident was caused by the wire rope, hauling a log. carrying away and striking deceased who was working on the tramway killing him almost instantaneously. Dr Baird was sent’ for and went out at once and the ambulance followed, but nothing could he done, and the body was brought into town. Tho news of the accident caused a painful feeling in the district, and the deepest sympathy is expressed for tho liereaved wife and relatives. Deceased was a son of the late Mr John McFadyeu of the old Kanieri Tramway. He was horn at Kanieri and was 45 years of ago. Tie was married to Elsie, youngest daughter of the late Mr 11. Diedrichs, but leaves no family. There are six sisters left (Mrs l.amaci'oft of llinui, Mrs Balston of Wellington, Mrs TL B. Bock of Wellington. Mrs CL lien pel I of Total'll Flat. Mrs 15. Dowell and Mrs 0. Dorton of Hokitika) and four brothers (John at Kanieri, Edward and -Malcolm at Blackball, and Cecil at Hawera).

THE INQUEST. An inquest was held this morning at the Police Station before Mr D. J. Evans (Coroner) touching the death of William Smith McFadyeu. Dr Baird gave evidence that he was called to Bruce Road sawmill yesterday afternoon and saw the hotly of deceased. He was quite dead. Death was due to shock caused by a heavy blow oil the back of tile head and another very severe blow across the upper part of liotli sides of the chest. Death would he instantaneous.

George Nilsson of Hokitika, winchdriver deposed he was employed at tlie Bruce Road sawmill as a winchman. Was at work yesterday afternoon. Deceased was at work, employed as a tranilaycr. About 4 o’clock they were hauling a tree a. distance of about 11 chains. The tree was coming quite freely. The steel rope was on a block and was drawing the log at a right angle, at the ordinary winch pace. The block was about five chains from the winch but was not visible. The block was secured by a wire rope held round a. tree. The block was the ordinary large size and was hooked on to the wire rope, 'i’lio deceased (McFadyen) was working on the tram, but witness did not know where ho was working. When limiting, felt something give. Thought the dogs holding the hauling wire had pulled. Stopped the winch and stood by. Another workman, AY. Fleming, called out saying McFadyeu was hurt. Fleming was about four chains away. Went along and saw McFadyeu lying on the train. ITo just breathed hi.s last as witness arrived. Sent word to the mill and went and rang up for the Doctor. Noticed the rope across the tram near McFadyeu. The rope should not have been there, as it was out of its line. The rope had been working .for a fortnight. The haul engaged in was the second drag that day. The log had been hauled about 4 chains before the accident-. There had been no similar accident with the gear at. the mill in his experience. The usual signals were given for the hauling. Fleming was working with McFadyeu. David James S. Diedrichs identified the body as that of 'William S. Me-Fa-dyon. li is brother-in-law. Thomas B. Gitlnoly deposed lie was a partner in the contract- for milling timber at Bruce Road mill. The deceas'd was employed as a tram layer for nearly two years. Witness was not al the mill yesterday. Went to tile mill after the accident but did not make an inspoelioii of the gear. McFadyeu was a capable workman. It is considered dangerous to work in the bight of a rope when there is hauling. Have never known the rope to carry a wav before.

Thomas Brown deposed he was a partner with Air Ciilloolv in running the imill. Was working about 19 chains from the scene of the accident, when Smith reported an accident. Ordered the doctor and ambulance to he sent for and advised the police. He noticed the rope was out of its track. Found the block on the tramway about 18 feet past the body. The wire rope round the tree which was holding the block was left on the tram Noticed the head of the block had been nulled out. The deceased would lie about a chain from the block .s working position.

At this stage the inquest was adjourned till the afternoon at A o’clock.