Explosion Causes Roadman’s Death

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 678, 1 June 1929, Page 6

Explosion Causes Roadman’s Death

ANOTHER MAN INJURED CHARGE HIT WITH SHOVEL (Special to THE SUX) TAIHAPE, Friday. Gelignite exploded prematurely when two roadmen were blasting rock near Taihape today. One man received such severe injuries that he died later, and the other received severe injuries to his left eye. Those concerned in the accident were: — Patrick Irwin, 56 years, married. Died of injuries. Herbert William Whale, severe injury to left eye and abrasions. Mr. Irwin and his son-in-law, Mr. Whale, were preparing to blast the rock: on the State Farm Road, about three miles from Taihape. They had bored the usual holes in which to place the gelignite and one charge with a detonator and fuse attached had been inserted. Mr. Whale was in the act of tapping home with a shovel handle the second plug of gelignite, which did not have a fuse or detonator attached to it, when there was a terrific explosion and Mr. Irwin was found lying on the side of the road some distance from the rock with terrible injuries to his face. In spite of his awful injuries he was still semiconscious.

Mr. "Whale w'as lying near him in a stunned condition, having received part of the force of the explosion on the side of the face and on one eye. After receiving medical attention he was able to go home and was later motored to Wanganui, where he will be attended to by an eye specialist. Mr. Irwin was hurried to the Taiihape Hospital, but his case was hopeless from the start and he died soon after admission.

Within a period of eight days three blasting accidents have occurred in the Taihape district. Two lives have been lost and two men injured.