BOMB EXPLOSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1967, 22 April 1919, Page 3

BOMB EXPLOSION.

BOY SCOUT KILLED AT TRENT HAM.

THREE OTHERS INJURED.

A distressing tragedy occurred in TTentliam Camp shortly before 5 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, when, as the result of a bond* explosion, a Boy Scout, named Kenneth, Waugh, was killed, and three others were seriously injured. The four casualties were: —■ Kenneth Waugh, sou of Mr T. Waugh, Park Avenue, Lower Hull.—Killed. Thomas Voller, living at 12b, Halt Hoad, Pelone. —Seriously injured with a wound in the left side. Kaymond Drake, staving with Mr 11. S. Camming, Alieelown, Lower Unit. —Several wounds in the side, arms, and face. Robert Clark, son of MrJL Clark, of Alieelown, .Lower Hull. — Wound in Hie right eye. Inquiries made go to show that the lads mimed, together with a number of other Boy Scouts, obtained permission lo spend the Easier holidays in Trenllmm Camp under two Scoutmasters, and were provided with quarters on condition that they lit no tires and were kept under strict control by their Small masters. The exact means by which the hoys became possessed of the explosive are by no means clear, but il appears that (hey were playing about the old Engineers’ ground, when (hey found some explosive and an empty bomb formerly used in training men in Ihe art of bomb-throwing. Boy-like, the Scouts tilled (lie empty ease with the explosive, and lit it, thinking they would lie able lo get (dear liefore it went off. The bomb, however, explosed with great violence almost instantaneously, Waugh, the nearest boy, was so severely injured (hat he died within a few minutes, and the other three lads Avere wounded, as slated above.

The report of the explosion Avas so loud that it avus heard fully a mile away. Two medical officers from I lie camp staff immediately went to the .lads’ assistance, and the three of them Avorc removed to the camp hospital, Avhere they arc making good progi’css. There Avere some twenty other lads in the vicinity Avhcn the explosion took place, but they fortunately escaped. An inquest was held ye>terday afternoon.

A Camp Staff inquiry for the purpose of making a report on the accident lo General Headquarters is also to be held.

At the inquest a verdiet was relumed in accordance Avitli the medical evidence.