SUDDEN TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1938, Page 7

SUDDEN TRAGEDY

TWO MEN KILLED IN OTAGO GRAVEL PIT COLLAPSE OF WORKING FACE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 30. A tragedy occured at what is known as Gravelly Gully, about 14 miles from Cromwell on the Cromwell-Pembroke road, about 10 a.m. today when two men were killed as a result of a fall of gravel estimated at about 50 cubic yards. The victims were: — Alexander O'Rourke, aged 60, years, labourer, Hawea Flat. Dugald Robertson, aged 22, years, labourer, Hawea Flat. The men were working at the base of a 30-foot face preparing a site for a gravel elevator. There were not witnesses of the tragedy. Apparently the fall was caused by the recent heavy rains loosening the face, which evidently collapsed without warning, completely burying Mr Robertson, while only Mr O’Rourke’s head was visible. The tragedy was discovered about 11 a.m. by Mr William Smith, road contractor, Pembroke, by whom the men were employed. Medical aid was immediately summoned, but Dr Austin, Cromwell, found the men dead. He was of opinion that death had probably occurred between one or two hours previously and had been practically instantaneous. Mr Robertson was a single man and a son of Mr Lindis Robertson, Hawea Flat. Mr O’Rourke, who was also a single man, was a native of Ireland and is believed to have had no relatives in this country.