ELECTROCUTED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1930, Page 3

ELECTROCUTED

WHEN USING VACUUM CLEANER

A sad fatality occurred at Runanga about, mid-day yesterday, when ,Mr John Diamond Watson was electrocuted whilst cleaning his motor-car with an Electrolux vacuum cleaner. In. company with Iris two brothers-in-laws, Messrs George and,William Brown, the deceased was preparing the car in order to attend the funeral q'f the late Mr James Hughes at Greymouth yesterday afternoon. The Brown brothers ivere polishing the outside of the car, whilst Mrs Watson was also present giving assistance. Watson had the Electrolux through the window on a cable and was making preparations to clean , the upholstery, when, upon clutching the cleaner, he was immediately electrocuted. It is not known its yet exactly what happened, hut apparently there was a short circuit caused by a fault in the cable. M,r George Brown ran for aid whilst Mr William Brown caught hold of deceased in an endeavour to free him, Tint he also sustained a severe shock. He then gave the cable a strong pull and jerked it from the socket, but it.was too late, as Watson was already past human aid.

j.tie late Mr 'Watson, who was a miner, employed at Marshall’s mine at the Ten Mile, was well and favourably kno.wn in the district ill which he had resided for the past three and a-luilf years, since his arrival in New Zealand from Gosfort, Cumberland, England, of which place.he was a native. Deceased, who was married on Easter Sa.nrda.v last exactly six months ago to a day, was 28 years of age. His w’fe was formerly Miss B. Brown, of Bnnanga. The vacuum cleaner used, it is reported, was an old. model.