THE TRENTHAM FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1916, Page 5

THE TRENTHAM FATALITY.

CAPTAIN BEEK MAN'S ACCIDENTAL , DEATH. Wellington, June lfl. An inquiry was held at Trentham Camp by tlie Coroner (Mr. D. C. A. Cooper) 011 Snturday as to the death of Captain Antonio Beckman during the bomb-throwing demonstration last Thursday. The Camp Commandant (LieutenantColonel H. E. Potter) stated that lie-was present at the demonstration. Deceased wns in charge of the bombs. A number of jam-tin bombs had been thrown by the troops, and it was proposed to give an exhibition of the effect of the sabulite bombs on the trenches. Witness saw a bomb in deceased's right hand, and he was apparently hesitating to throw it. Just as deceased was in the act of throwing the bomb the explosion took place. As a result of the explosion, deceased's right hand was blown off, while he also received a severe wound in the region of the t; roat. first-aid was rendered by Major Sleeinan ; and deceased' was removed to the camp hospital. The bombs, which were manufactured locally, were very powerful. They were in perfect older at the time. The particular bomb which caused Captain Beekman's death was timed to explode 10 seconds after the lighting of the fuse. Instructions had been issued to witness that no bomb-throwing was to take place unless Lieutenant Bale, who was an expert, was present. He understood that deceased had had previous experience in bomb-throwing under Lieutenant Bale. The principal medical officer at the camp (Lieutenant-Colonel P. 0. Andrew) said that 011 examining deceased after his admission to the camp hospital, he was found to he suffering from shock, a puncture wound in the right temple, a wound involving large blood vessels in the neck, and very severo laceration 0? the right hand. Tho cause of death was shock, resulting from the severe injuries received. Sergeant-Major A. F. Carnage, assistant engineer-instructor, said that de-1 ceased, Lieut. Bale, and himself got into a trench, the former having in his hand a sabulite bomb. It was their intention to bomb ail old traverse in an opposite trench. Captain Beokman said ho would light the first bomb, and proceeded to do so. Then witness noticed deceased hesitate to throw the bomb, and it flashed across witness' mind that it would explode in his hand. Witness and Lieutenant both shouted to deceased to throw the bomb. Just after that the explosion occurred. Deceased had previously used the same class of bombs. The Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to shock, following injuries received by a bomb which accidentally exploded in deceased's hand, no blame being attachable to anyone.