WOMAN INJURED

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1929, Page 1

WOMAN INJURED

BY COAL EXPLOSION

r ßy Telegraph, Per Press Association.]

DUNEDIN, Nov. 20.

Despite the extreme care that is taken by coal mine authorities in respect to detonators and other explosive substances used for blasting out coal, there occur from time to time instances of neglect which result in the unfortunate consumers of coal suffering injury and loss. A case of this kind happened in Dunedin recently in the house of Mr R. P. Douglas, 20, Warden St., Opoho. About six in the evening Mrs Douglas was sitting in front of the dining room lire when there was a deafening explosion The fire grate was completely blown out, and Mrs Douglas fell to the floor with eight more or less serious wounds in the .head and body. A doctor was summoned and it was found that the unfortunate lady had four wounds in the head, one- under each eye, and one had.one on the temple; also three in the! arm and one very serious one in the leg. a sub-stance of a coppery character, something like a piece of detonator cap, having penetrated three inches into her leg. Mrs Douglas is still confined to bed under the doctor’s care.

Speaking to a reporter to-night, Mr Douglas said that it was impossible to say what the exact nature of the explosive was, but it was very dangerous. His wife had been hadl.v hurt and might easily have been killed. The ceiling and walls of the room suffered some minor damage, and the grate was blown clean out.! -He con.'},j • j i ■ t side-red that it was very I ’unfair that the users of coal should be [called upon to bear such loss, but'Hie supposed •that there was nothing that could he done about it.