FATALITY AT TEREMAKAU SAWMILL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1927, Page 1

FATALITY AT TEREMAKAU SAWMILL

JNQUEST PROCEEDINGS

A colonial inquest was held at Air

Treaty's residence, Christchurch road, yesterday afternoon by the District Coroner (Mr D. J. Evans) touching the death of Amos Homy Pugh, whose death was reported that morning while working at the North Teremakau Sawmill. The police were represented by Sergt. King of Hokitika and Constable Fox. of Kuniara. Evidence was given by William J. Treaty, brother-in-law of the deceased, as to the identity of"the body; Jas L. Kelly, trollyman. who was working with deceased; Robert Moore, winchnnm. working nearby ; Constable Fox. who visited the. scene of the accident on being called up from Kuniara; and Dr Booth, who examined the body and testified as to the immediate cause of death. Air F. J. Turlty was present during portion of the proceedings, 'representing the Sawmill Workers Organisation.

From the evidence it appeared that deceased who was in charge of the mill, and the employer, went to work with Kelly and Moore, the first

duly being to load a large log from the hank on to a trurK. The log which it was proposed to move was nil awkward one, and to move it ofl the skids a rope was brought from the winch. Pugh fixed the rope and gave the signal to start the winch. When the log moved steam was cut off. The log had to he moved about

six feet or so on to the truck. As it started to move Pugh jumped in ahead of it to fix an additional short' skid to carry the log safely across

the gap from the bank to the truck. Before he could escape he was caught by the. heavy log and struck hack against a corner of the wooden hank, lie staggered up and then fell with a moan. AY'hon Kelly reached him he was found to he dead. The medical evidence showed that the principal injury and Iho cause of death was n fracture of the base of the skull, caused when struck down against a, hard substance. Other injuries were slight, being abrasions only. The deceased was a married man of II years of ago, and in addition to the widow there are three children, the youngest being one year old. He was an active worker and had full charge of the mill works.

The log would probably have carried over safely hut apparently at the last moment Pugh thought the extra skid necessary and took the risk of placing it in position, probably not expecting the heavy log to roll over as suddenly as it did. Kelly, the nearest workman, was some little distance away, and could not assist to extricate ill's employer in the emergency. Moor© was about a chain away engaged with the working of the winch and, lost sight’ of l’ugh when the log began to roll. Ihe fatality occurred with great and unexpected suddenness. The Coroner in recording « vor_ diet, of death from a fractured skull the result of an accident, expressed sympathy with the wife, family and relatives of deceased, stating it was a regrettable accident, a pare misadventure, and that there was no blame attached to anyone.