Accident on the Wellington Wharf.

Manawatu Herald, 11 February 1899, Page 2

Accident on the Wellington Wharf.

♦ . ONE MAN KILLED. FOUR OTHERS SERIOUSLY INJURED. A shocking accident, attended with fatal results, occurred on the QueeflUK Wharf yesterday afternoon. The accT dent took place at what is known as No. 2 berth, where the Tarawera from Sydney was being berthed. To enable #

the vessel to back stern in she steamed along the outer tee of the wharf, and by means of a heaving-line got her stern line ashore, the bow being the ships's length away in the direction of the Star Boating Club's shed. In order to slew her stern into the berth, the loop at the end of the line was placed on the fourth post down the tee, and the line passed round the post at the corner. This done, the ship's winch started heaving in, when the line becoming taut, and the steamer having a high counter, the line gradually eased up the corner post until it reached the top, when, with the weight of the steamer attached, the line (a four-inch rope) straightened with catapult force, hurling some ten or twelve people in all directions, some of whom were seriously injured, one fatally. THE INJURED. Those who suffered by the unfortunate mishap were awaiting the arrival of friends from Sydney by the steamer, and standing nearest the edge of the wharf, received the full force of the tightly strung hawser. Sergeant Haddrell, of the police, who was assisting to keep the people clear of the line, received a nasty threecornered cut over the right eye, which laid bare the bone. His condition is reported to be somewhat serious. Mr T. Trommer, a recent arrival from Germany, and brother-in-law to Mr Michael Flurscheim, received a similar wound, and also had his right> shoulder severely contused. Mr John Mackay received a cut on the chin necessitating three stitches. Mrs Charles Rigg, daughter of Mr William Gill (of the Alliance Insurance Company), suffered a terrible scalp wound 6J inches long, extending from the forehead to the back of the ear. On arrival at Dr Mackenzie's, whither she was taken, the lower part of the scalp was hanging over the ear. The skull was not injured in any way, and the sufferer is doing as well as can be expected. Her husband was a passenger by the steamer. Miss Flurscheim had turned away from the line, and escaped with a bump on the back of the head, her hair lessening the effect of the blow. Both she and Mr Trommer, we understand, were awaiting the arrival of a Mr Flurscheim, who was a passenger by the Tarawera. The poor fellow who succumbed to his injuries in the Hospital at 6.30 last night was a Mr Andrew Torning, who resided at Belgium Cottage, Aurora terrace. Deceased was a married man, about 30 years of age, and up till a fortnight ago was employed at Messrs Kirkcaldie and Stains'. We underthat he leaves no family. As to the practice of the harbour authorities, it might be stated that the public, upon the arrival of every steamer, are warned by the officials to stand clear of the hawsers. On this occasion the Harbour Board was represented by Pilots Shilling and Dawson, Messrs E. Quinlan, J. Gifford, H. Claridge (assistant wharfinger), and the police by Sergeant Haddrell and Constable Pearce, all of whom were doing their best to keep the crowd back. A PROMPT ACT. Mr J. Gifford, a member of the pilot boat crew, who was assisting in berthing the Tarawera, happened to observe the hawser slipping, and had just time to bend down, dragging a young lady with him, who was standing close by, when the line freed itself and hurtled over his head. His prompt action in all probability lessened the list of casualties. AFTER THE ACCIDENT. Prominent among those who assisted the injured after the accident was Detective Nixon, who saw them all put safely into cabs and driven away to have their injuries attended to. Messrs Trommer, Mackay and Sergeant Haddrell were attended to by Mr W. C. FitzGerald. On examining Torning's wound it was decided that his was a case for the Hospital, whither he was sent in a cab. Some fear was expressed as to weather Mr Trommer's eyesight would be affected by the blow received, but a subsequent examination by Dr Kendal proved that the sight was uninjured. At the inquest on John Torning yesterday the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, the. foreman remarking that they did not think it necessary to make any suggestions.