FATAL ACCIDENT AT WAITAPU.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 139, 15 June 1868, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT AT WAITAPU.

We regret to state thafc intelligence reached Nelson early this morning, on the arrival of the schooner Ann, from Waitapu, of a fatal accident which occurred on Thursday last, the Ilth instant, and by which Mr John Barrett, builder, of Toitoi Valley, lost his life. It appears that Mr Barrett, who, we believe, had been engaged for some time past in carrying out a contract at Waitapu, left Mr W. Page's store afc that place between 3 and 4 o'clock on the afternoon of that day, iv a cart, accompanied by Mr R. Andrews, and two boys, named respectively Henry Rankin and James Morrison. About a chain and a half from Mr W. Page's store is a creek, the bridge across which was at the time about 3 feefc uuder water, and thus not discernible. In attempting to cross this, the cart was upset, and the four individuls were capsized into the stream, which was much swollen at the time. The Messrs Page and Mr D. M'Cullum, who had witnessed the accident, were speedily on the spot, and rendered every assistance in their power. Iv fact, bufc for their prompt aud praiseworthy exertions, all the party would have perished, Mr W. Page nearly losing his life in his attempts to rescue them. Mr Andrews and the two boys were brought safely to land, but though Mr Barrett was taken out of the water alive, he never rallied afterwards. There is no doubt that he received kicks on the head and body from the horse (which was also drowned), and that this was the immediate cause of death. Every means were resorted to in order to restore life, but in vain, and the body was removed to the Shamrock Hotel, where an inquest was held before J. M. Gibson Esq., J. P. on the following day, when a verdict of 'Accidental death' was returned. Mr Barrett's body was brought over by the Ann this morning, for interment in Nelson.