BLOWN TO PIECES.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1926, Page 2

BLOWN TO PIECES.

- FULLER DETAILS. A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. [by TEI.KCn.APH — I’F.ft PRESS ASSOCIATION’.] P.VL.AIKRBTON N.. March I. A terrific fatality occurred near Shannon this morning when a fi sealer motor car and its sole occupant, AY. Canipcbll, of Tokomarn, were literally blown to pieces hy tin explosion. It is believed it was that of some explosives which were being carried in tho vehicle. Campbell, who was a well-known and highly respected resident of the district, was bridge foreman for the Alakerua Drainage Board, residing at Tokomarn. He is a widower, his wife having died twelve months ago. There is a family of ten, tho eldest- living a girl of 17 years of age, who at tho present time is a patient in the Palmerston North Hospital.

Campbell appnisently came down as usual this morning to the Makerua Drainage Board’s Works, about two miles from the town of Shannon, the poinl at which the workmen are at present operating being approximately a mile off tin* main road. The deceased went to a wliare nearby in his motor car. apparently to secure supplies necessary to the scene of operations. when a terrific explosion was heard by those at the drainage works, and then in Shannon. Messrs Payne and Barrow, who were working on the drains, made their way with all possible speed to the scene of the ex■plosion. which was about a quarter of a mile distant from the wliare visited bv the deceased. It was found that the explosion bad orignafed from the motor car itself, the vehicle being torn to pieces, and fragments could be found, lie having been literally blown lo pieces. Parts of bis body were found one hundreds yards away from the .scene of the tragedy. It is stirliibicd that the explosives were being carried in the motor car. and that they defoliated in some fashion through (he 'jolting of the vehicle. The steno of the fatality is a bye-road a little distance from the main Wol-lington-Palnierston North highway.