FATAL INTERFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1931, Page 2

FATAL INTERFERENCE

MAN CRUSHED BY CONDENSER COILS. AUCKLAND, April 13. “There is no doubt that tin* bolts and nuts on the condenser coils had been interfered with by someone,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in bis capacity as Coroner at the inquest concerning the death of John Patrick Logan, aged 48, years, who was killed when a heavy condensing plant at the Auckland Fanners’ Freezing Company’s premises at King’s Wharf collapsed on March d. James Stoddart Thomas, chief engineer for the freezing company, said that at the time of the accident four men, including deceased, were engaged in fitting up the condensing plant. Deceased was fitter in charge. Witness was informed that the coijs had fallen and on arrival he found deceased and another man pinned between two coils which weighed n ton each. ‘‘There were three anchor bolts on the plant and within a quarter of an hour of the accident the nuts on the holts had been prooerlv screwed up. ’ said witness. “After the accident one holt with its nut off was in the standard. while the other two bolts were found on the floor. I can only come to the conclusion thatt the nuts had been removed from the bolts. 1 hey could not have come off on their own.” Other witnesses expressed the opinion that the bolts had been tampered with, Tn returning a verdict that deceased died from injuries received through a condenser coil accidentally falling upon him, the Coroner remarked, that there vns no doubt that the bolts and nut-S on the condenser coils bad been interfered with. There was no evidence, however. t<> justifv further comment, nlthmieh the inquiry had been most thorough.