THE LATE ACCIDENT AT THE PATEA BREAKWATER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 166, 22 May 1879, Page 2

THE LATE ACCIDENT AT THE PATEA BREAKWATER.

Some additional particulars relating to the recent shocking accident at the Patea Breakwater works, by which the contrac tor, Mr E, Dickson, lost his life, are given by the Patea Mail From the evidence taken at the inquest, it would appear that the deceased gentleman was assisting in lifting concrete blocks out of the sand by means of a crane and truck, the former being used to lift the blocks so as to place them in the latter, when they were conveyed to the L end of the breakwater and hgain lifted out of the truck by the cvane, and placed in position. Everything being ready, both crane and truck wero started along the line at it good speed. It was usual for some of the men to keep in front of the crane, so as to prevent it running too fast, and 011 this occasion Mr Dickson and another placed themselves on each side, while another man occupied the position between the rails. AVhcn the crane was Hearing its destination, whero there are a quantity of loose boulders, Mr Dickson in passing over these missed his footing, and fell across the line. He managed to get his body and one of his legs out of the way, but before he could get the other over the crane was on him, and completely shattered the limb at the thigh, just leaving it hanging by a piece of skin, The sight was a fearful one, and the workmen wero thoroughly unnerved for a time; but they soon recovered themselves, and attended to the wounded man. A large belt was made fast round the stump to stop the bleeding, and a horseman was dispatched in haste for a doctor. Unfortunately the tide was in, and the

longest way had to bo taken, and the man, in endeavoring to make as much haste as possible, knocked his horse up, having to / walk a great portion of the way. However, Drs Porcy and Keating were found at last, just in the act of amputating Mr Guy's finger, which they left and hurried down to the breakwater, when in a very short time the leg was'removed and the main artery secured. But there seems to liavo been no hope from the first, as Dr Keating stated at the inquest that even if there had been a doctor on the ground at the time of the accident, Mr Dickson's life could not have been saved. Mr Dickson expired shortly after the limb was removed. He was conscious up to the time of the doctors arrival, but was in great agony, and implored that chloroform might be administered, which was dnuv-jk.