LAUNCHMAN’S DEATH
BENZINE EXPLOSION INQUEST CONCLUDED “Accidental death” was the 'verdict returned by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, at an adjourned inquest concluded yesterday on the death of John Sanderson. Tho deceased, who was a widower aged 48, died in the Public Hospital after suffering from severe burns received on tho launch Huana on December 9. Bovastro Guiseppe, Mr. Sanderson’s mate on the Huana, said that the boat was moored near the Nelson Street Wharf. He and deceased were sleeping on board. About 5.10 a.m. witness left tho boat to pull in closer to the wharf. Three minutes later there was a loud explosion, and the Huana burst into flames. Mr. Sanderson staggered into the cockpit and then threw himself overboard.
In a statement made at the hospital before his death, Mr. Sanderson said that he woke up smelling heavy .benzine fumes, which had evidently escaped from the petrol pipe. He hastily put out the light, but it was too late to prevent an explosion. “I had been very bad, but am getting along nicely now,” said Mr. Sanderson at the conclusion of his statement.
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Bibliographic details
Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 544, 22 December 1928, Page 13
Word Count
186LAUNCHMAN’S DEATH Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 544, 22 December 1928, Page 13
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