SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 786, 30 June 1877, Page 5 (Supplement)

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

An accident of a very serious character occurred ;at 9 o'clock on Saturday at the well-known Biscuit Factory of Messrs J. Bycro ft and Co., of Onehunga. It appears that flour and other goods are lifted from the lower part of the mill to the upper storey by means of a chain and pulley worked by steam. A man named George Hassard was employed this morning m the upper storey- receiving bags, which another man below attached to the pulley. Several bags had been lifted m this way, and the pulley returned to the bottom again, when, by some accident, as it was being lowered, it caught on the engine-shaft, and got a round turn round it. In an instant the stout flooring of the mill was torn up, and the big blocks were torn from their fastenings, and fell to the ground, .striking George Hassard on the head, and inflicting a frightful wound on the back part of the scalp. Steam was at once shut off, and several of the workmen ran to the unfortunate man, who presented a ghastly sight, and it was at first thought was killed. He was promptly conveyed into the open air, and carried to his house, near the iiailway Station, when lie appeared slightly better. DrZiuzan.was promptly m attendance, but it -was doubtful if the patient would recover when our informant left. The accident is a very singular one, as the chain used was only barely long enough to take a turn round the shaft, and would, under ordinary circumstances, have taken sireng ;n ' ,oo have stretched it to the position necessary for that purpose. — "Star."