Fatal Big Gun Accident.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 257, 3 November 1904, Page 2

Fatal Big Gun Accident.

ONE MAN KILLED AND OTHERS INJURED. (Per Press Associatten.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 3. While at target practice at Fort liallance this morning the breach block of a twelve-pounder blew out, killing one of the gun squad, J. A. Palmer,' and wounding live others— H. C. Peterson, C. T. Stines, H. Fordyco, L. F. O'Neill, and H. J, Sweeney. Palmer was severely Injured in the region of the chest and arm, and blown several yards away. The mishap occurred abort* ly before eleven o'clock, and Palmar dltd before noon, He was marrtad only a few months ago. Petersen, who is a brother to tin manager of the Wellington Electee lramways, is also a married ma*, and has been in the artillery fora great many years. All the other' injured men are unmarried. Serai ral rounds had been flrod before ths* accident occurred. . The condition of some of the others is serious, but hopes are enter*' tamed of their recovery

FURTHER PAHTIC ULARS. '] Later An 8-incb disappearing *j Uvo rounds fr 0 m the top of th. hill at the tangets towed in tiho harbour entrance by the steamer Jauia SedUwi. 'll.cn two <pjick-niws fewer down the hill opened Bre with fit ty-iour rounds allotted to thorn liic Shooting goon became rapid~ report u.ter roporh resouoditt* i B , quick succession. Then suddenly' •riHii No 1 g u« came a, diltvrm, reyon, and a flash ftpm behind, whitf fnusmemta shot perpendicularly ta £ L k'T;v. Tli P " ,,n WOTkto « «ie run beh.netthe shield were Mown backdn all duVefcioiia. and the scene o n tfa concrete door behind the wo? 2 on„. of blood and suffering,. lii.n.ier J. Palmer, who must/ have' be-n standing, close behind the breech, was blown backward from the b u n platform, down two or three stops liuiuodiatcly at the back of it across I'he concrete floor, and against the ourt-hern b tt nk, at Uie warTa distance of several yards. Hit Jn v juries wero very severe, particularly in the region of the chest and he died a.bout half an hour afterward*. Hombardier H. C. Pelentan, ,the gun captain, w a s struck chiefly about tS head. He did not low woaclou* nem, but seated himself on the *>.'• co n d flight of steps fcadrag up th» bank, and asked for water. Hfc bead was completely bathed in blood which dripped all over his bodyl' Gunner L. F, O'Neill, with hit fin*. ers shot away, Wa s on the other tuda ol gun. He wandered uphill say. oral yards, dropped amid the grastr and scrub, rose again, faltered, and finally was Secured by the relief pari." ty when in danger of staggering over Uio para])et. Othors i n the gun pit ut tl.e time wore Gunners H. Fordyce, J T. sii,e.;, and H. J. Swa*. ney ; all of whom were injured. Among those witnessing the firinr were General Hatoington, Major JobZ ston. J)r. ■ Klilmier, and Dr. Maflofc" The surgeons were soon busily tli'work, and the injured men were placv ed on stretchers and carried down to the Jande Soddon, which had beaa signalled to come into the hay. Pale mer, however, died before he could ba moved. The other men are now in the boa-. Slines' case is the worst, hl» tojunes being j n the abdomen. Allure suffering from deafness, i n »ddt, t:on to their other injuries. Palmer, was about 27 years of age ' He came oniginally from talei* Mid served in South Africa with the Fifth Contingent. The <(hurgo used with the 12-pouod- ' ers was Cord/ite, lib looz H, t ia understood that there is on record only one previous case of a 14. pounder gun of this pattern blowing out, and that that case occurred at Home. • '

THE LATEST-TWO MEN IN SERIOUS CONDITION. WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. ' ' Late to-night the hospital author • rtties reputed that Sli B es and OV' Neill were in a serious condition. The full names of injured men are:' —Gunner H. J. Sweenev, aged 24. single, of Ross, Westiand ; L F . O'Neill, lp, single, of Christchurch • Gunner A. Fordyco. 29, umrried, JffeW lington; Gunner J. Slines, 24. singlo, Wellington; Bombardier H. C Petersen, 46, married, Wellingt oa "'