FATAL ACCIDENT.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 223, 9 February 1928, Page 1

FATAL ACCIDENT.

BUSH WORKER KILLED. One of the T.T.T. employees, Edward Albert Watt, aged 25, whose parents are farming on the T.T.T. railway, 20 miles from Mokai, was killed in the bush on Monday afternoon, 30th January. Deceased was on duty on the rope, pulling a log to the hauler. He had just cleared the log of an obstruction, given the all-clear signal, and was jumping clear when the log struck a sapling, which, snapping off, struck him on the forehead with terrific force and hurled him to the ground. He was immediately extricated by willing hands, but so shocking were the injuries to his head that death must have occurred before he struck the ground. 1 All work ceased immediately, and the body was conveyed to the bush camp.

The deceased was widely known and had many friends. He was a splendid type of young New Zealand manhood, strong, active, reckless, full of vitality and good spirits which come from clean living and a healthy outdoor life. He was esteemed by all who knew him.

His family were notified of the sad occurrence and were taken to Mokai on Monday evening. A sad feature was that when the accident happened a party of company directors, officers and guests were standing by and were horrified spectators of the tragic event, which happened in such a fraction of time that nobody was able to give any warning. An inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon by the district coroner, Mr. H. J. Hall, J.P., and a jury of four, the police being represented by Constable Johnson, of Rotorua. After hearing evidence the jury found that the deceased met his death accidentally, no blame being attachable to anyone.

The T.T.T. Company provided the coffin and also ran a special train to Putaruru and back on Wednesday, February 1, with free passages to people wishing to attend the funeral. The number of floral wreaths, and funds subscribed locally to help to defray the funeral costs and provide a headstone for the grave, are evidence of the great regard in which deceased was held and the deep sympathy extended towards his sorrowing parents and brothers, one of whom, Mr. S. Watts, who is married and resides at Mokai, also works in the bush and was near his brother when the accident happened.