FALLING RATA TREE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1931, Page 6

FALLING RATA TREE

STRIKES THREE A 1 KN

TAURANG-A, January 29

A most unusual bush accident occurred at one o'clock to-day at Whakamarama. near here, resulting in the death of a native named “Ruff” Apaapa. aged forty-nine. who was married, with twelve children. Percy Skelton sntfered a broken thigh, and internal injuries, and was conveyed to Taurauga Hospital. The full extent of his injuries is not k now n.

Herbert Baker sustained injuries to the hack, but they were not serious. All three men were employed by the Whakamarama Land and Timber C’oy.. and were engaged in the bush hauling logs. They had just finished lunch, and were leaving the tender ol the locomotive, where they had lunched, when a rata tree snapped about forty feet up. and the top. about twenty feet long, fell on the three men. pinnimr Apaapa and Skelton down. Baker, although hit, got clear, and a fourth man, Allan Sharplin, jumped clear.

Sharplin sounded an alarm on the hauler whistle, and. with assistance, got the two men clear. Apaapa was then unconscious, and he died on the jigger on the way to the mill '‘settlement., eight' miles away. Dr Stuart was summoned and gave evidenco at an inquest held hr Coroner A. F. Tnnks, that Apaapa’s death was due to a fracture of the base ol the skull, and a veridet was lomid accordingly. ,