ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 83, 24 August 1912, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

I A TERRIBLE FATALITY. By Cable—Press Association.—Copyright Taihape, Last Night. A terrible fatality occurred at Rangataua on Thursday ' afternoon. The Powell Process Company's bush tramline engine, with trucks carrying four logs to the mill, while travelling down a sleep grade, owing to the slippery rails, got out of hand. It rapidly increased in velocity, and after covering half-a-mile, when rounding a curve the brakesman shot off into the scrub, unhurt, though he suffered a great shock. Two chains further the engine jumped the rails. The heavy load crashed into the engine, the logs smashing the driver (Percy Small), and killing him instantly. His body was frightfully mutilated. The engine pushed'ahead half a chain, and then overturned, the logs going two chains further. The trucks were smashed to matchwood, and the rails were torn up. The deceased was a single man, aged 26 years. His parents live at Nelson, whither the body was taken to-day in charge of his brother. An inquest was held, and a verdict of accidental death returned, no blame being attachable to anyone.

MAN DROWNED. Dunedin, Last Night. A drowning accident occurred in the harbor late this afternoon, by which George Taiaroa, about 50 years of age, and a member of a well-known Maori family of that name, met his death. It appears that Taiaroa left the Jetty street wharf about ten minutes to five, en route for his residence at the Heads in a launch, of which he was the sole occupant. In the middle of the basin he went forward to adjust the sail, which was also carried, and while returning slipped and fell overboard. Though a strong swimmer, Taiaroa was probably handicapped by his boots, which he was said to have been wearing, and soon disappeared. The launch ran into the Rattray street wharf, breaking one of its two masts, and sustaining other slight damage. A Harbor Board employee named Booth immediately put out in a boat, but was too late to render assistance. Some dredge hands and a waterman named Madigan also put out, but to no purpose. The police are dragging for the body, but without avail.

A BICYCLE ACCIDENT. Gisborne, Friday. Mr. Sinclair, the Gisborne manager for Turnbull and Jones, whilst cycling, this morning collided with a motor-car and had an arm broken and he was severely shaken. KILLED BY A WAGGON. Gisborne, Friday, Maud Bissel, aged nine, was riding to school on ii waggon, to which was attached another waggon, this moraine:, when she fell off, the wheel of the following waggon passing over her head and killing her.