FATAL ACCIDENT AT MANGAHAO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2632, 13 September 1923, Page 3

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MANGAHAO.

MAN CRUSHED IN TUNNEL. At 4 p.m. on Monday a fatal accident occurred in the short tunnel leading into the surge' chamber at Manga ore, when a man named Henry Frederick Deddlcf Rex was crushed, to death. The deceased was driving the electric locomotive when he is believed to have struck "is head on one of the cross beams. He was knocked off the locomotive and falling between the latter and the wall of the tunnel became jamboa, stopping the vehicle. When removed he was found to be badly crushed and died immediately. Ilis injuries consisted of a crushed chest: a,nd a broken leg and other injuries. INQUEST. An inquest was held at Mangaore on Tuesday morning, before Mr Alt'. Fraser, District Coroner. In giving evidence, Henry Joseph Lewis, labourer, employed at. the surface chamber, Mangaore, said lie was on duty in the chamber on the day of the accident, which occurred about 3.30 p.m. Witness knew the deceased who was engaged in driving the electric locomotive in the tunnel. He was called to the scene immediately after the accident and saw a body jammed between the truck and wall, which he recognised as that of deceased. Witness at once went out of the tunnel to get assistance. He had known Rex for about, six months and he had told witness that he was a married man, a native of Denmark, and about 52 years of age. Herbert Kensley Neweumb said he was tunnel foreman at Mangaore. On Monday afternoon he went on shift shortly after 3 p.m. Witness said he had a new man starting on the shift who was to be assistant to Rex on the locomotive and he had asked deceased to instruct him in the working of the electric concrete mixer. After Rex had done this, the man went away for a light. Witness then went away into the tunnel in front, of Rex, who was, on the locomotive and intended to act as assistant for him until the man picked them up. At the entrance to the surge chamber he stopped to push the tunnel pony to the siding, which act, he believed, attracted deceased’s attention, for at that moment the latter suddenly bumped his head on the framing, which knocked his hat off and in trying to recover it he received a second knock, and, overbalancing, fell between the truck and the wall. Witness immediately jumped on tin 1 locomotive and found the brakes hard on. He at once tried to assist, the deceased and called to Lewis, who was nearby to get assistance, and the carpenter and others arriving, they removed the timber and got the body out. Witness stated that. Rex had been driving for close on three weeks and for some time had been assistant driver. He was quite sober. With reasonable precautions there was no danger. The timber in that part of the tunnel was low and the driver had to lean forward in passing through.

To the Coroner: There had been no similar accidents at that spot. In reply to Constable McGregor witness said if deceased had not tried to recover his hat the accident would not have occurred. Every precaution was taken against accidents.

Constable McGregor, of Shannon gave evidence as to visiting the scene of the accident. He went out to the surge chamber and saw the body of the deceased. It was then lying in the bathroom at. the surge chamber camp. In company with Dr. Macdonald, of Shannon, he examined the body and found a bruised scar near the top of the head, the ribs on the left side of the chest over the heart were broken and pressed in, the right leg badly broken above the knee and other injuries. Witness slated he knew deceased.

A verdict that deceased accidentally met his death was returned.