ONE MAN DEAD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1939, Page 5

ONE MAN DEAD

ELECTRICAL EXPLOSION IN WELLINGTON. OTHER VICTIM’S CONDITION SATISFACTORY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr John Chassels Easson, one of ■the two men seriously injured by an electrical explosion in Wellington, reported on Saturday, died later in the Wellington Public Hospital. The condition of the other man, Mr G. Butcher, was reported last night to be satisfactory. The power was off for up to three hours in several buildings nearby, including the General Post Office, as a result of the explosion. The city electrical staff was able to connect other buildings in the locality, which were fed through this substation, with another line of supply. This substation, under Nathan’s Building, in which the explosion occurred is one of a number that the electricity department has in the city to break down the voltage. Messrs Easson and Butcher were engaged in fitting up a new switch panel when a short circuit occurred followed by a simultaneous flash and explosion. Mr Easson received the full force of the explosion. Apparently he was standing facing the panel and Mr Butcher was working sideways to it. Twelve electricians worked on the substation to make repairs. There will be an inquest into the circumstances of the death of Mr Easson and a departmental inquiry into the accident when Mr Butcher is : able to give evidence. Mr Easson was a returned soldier and had been employed by the department for a number ot years.