FATALITY AT MAWGAHAO.

Shannon News, 17 August 1926, Page 2

FATALITY AT MAWGAHAO.

MAN STRUCK BY FALLING TIMBER

A sad fatality occurred at the. River Camp at Mangahao at 4.50 on Saturday afternoon, when a 'middle aged man named Win. J. McLeod lost Lis life through being struck on the head by a piece of falling timber. Deceased, in company with two others, were engaged in excavation work on the bank of the river, and while deceased was working a pneumatic pick he was struck on the head by a piece of falling timber which had come down the cliff from some distance above. It was seen by his mates that he was seriously injured. ■ He was immediately attended to by Nurse Prain, who had him removed to the medical hut, but he passed away about, an hour later without regaining consciousness.

The sad occurrence cast a gloom over the camp as deceased was very popular among the men, being held in Hie highest esteem, proof of this being shown on Sunday afternoon when all the men in the camp paid a last tribute by following for some distance from the camp the hearse conveying his body to, Palmerston Norths

Viewing the scene where the accident occurred it appeared almost impossible for anything coming down the bank to strike anyone where deceased was working, as any object would have to pass over two' ledges. Evidently the piece of timber in question must have struck something on its descent and ricoclietted under the ledge.'