FATAL ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1039, 5 September 1911, Page 3

FATAL ACCIDENT.

AT A FLAX MILL

At the inquest touching the death of Frank Healey, aged 35, through being caught in the machinery at Jarvis’ flaxmill, Kairanga, last Saturday, the evidence disclosed that deceased was a single man, with parents residing at Tua Marina. Deceased was a stripper keeper and was in partnership with McCune on a contract to run Jarvis’ mill. The machinery was steam-driven. The mill started at 7 a.m. on Saturday. About 8,5 the scutcher belt broke, and deceased mended it. The engine was stopped, and deceased mounted the scutcher platform to replace .the belt ou the pulley of the intermediate shaft. Deceased was placing the belt ou the scutch pulley, and McKeowu was about to turn another pulley to assist him. Either Healey’s pulling on the belt or McKeowu’s turning the pulley must have started the engine. Deceased’s coat was caught and he was carried round the shaft several times and dashed against the platform. The machinery was stopped. Healey was released in practically a dying condition, and . expired in the trap on the way to Palmerston without regaining consciousness. The engine had only been stopped about two minutes when the accident happened. Krnest McKeowu said the machinery was not in motion when witness mounted the platform The engine was stopped quickly after the accident, but not before Healey had ceen carried round the shaft two or three times. Witness was unable to assign a reason for the starting of the engine. The occurrence was the first of the kind that he had known. It would not have happened but lor the unexpected starting of the engine. The engine-driver stated that the engine had been blowing-off steam after he stopped it for the first time. He noticed it and shut the steam right off. II the regulator were not closed right down, the machinery would be started with a slight escape of steam. Witness held a secondclass locomotive driver’s certificate. He attributed the starting of the engine to an accumulation of steam in the steam chest, possibly caused by a piece ol grit finding its way under the throttle valve. He had known machinery previously to be started in this manner, but not in the mill where he was now’ employed. The engine stopped when the acccideut occurred. He tested the engine subsequently,, and found steam could be cut off effectually. The engine was in good order throughout. Deceased must have had his foot on the driving belt when he was caught.

The inquest was adjourned till next Friday afternoon, in order that the evidence of the Inspector of Machinery may be taken.