FATAL EXPLOSION

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19904, 5 June 1936, Page 6

FATAL EXPLOSION

SENSATION AT AUCKLAND. ONE KILLED : FIVE INJURED. AMMUNITION' WORKS DAMAGED. AUCKLAND, Friday* When a violent explosion occurred at the Colonial Ammunition Company’s premises, Mount Eden, shortly after 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, a girl was killed and five other people were Injured. Many employees were cut by flying glass from windows and skylights shattered by the explosion, and others suffered from shock. Part of a wall of the main building was demolished. The victims were : Killed. Miss Patricia Marion Clifford, aged 18, machinist, of George Street, Dominion Hoad. Injured. Albert Elliott, aged 31, married, an engineer, of Itoyal Oak, injuries to face and body and shock. Miss Violet Mary Cotterell, aged 27, machinist, of Eden Terrace, injuries to body and shock. Miss Annie Christina Ouptill, aged 10, machinist, of Newton, injuries to body and shock. Miss*Phyllis Jupp, aged 22, machinist, of Epsom, abrasions to body and shock. Miss Elsie ltuna Houghton, aged 33, machinist, of Kiugsland, abrasions to body. The five injured were admitted to Hie Auckland Hospital. None was in a serious condition last night. The explosion occurred in the vicinity of a capping machine tended by Miss Clifford, who had one leg torn off, and was killed instantaneously. The live other employees who were severely injured, although working near her, did not receive the full lorce of the blast of air, which capsized a heavy machine, broke nearly every pane of glass in the building, aud forced part of one wall of the wood and iron building into the yard. Severe Shock. Showers of glass in jagged splinter*, fell upon the workers, who were enveloped in dense yellow smoke as they staggered beneath the force of the explosion. In spite of the severe shock and many minor injuries, those who escaped lightly were quick to aid others less fortunate. The wounded were helped through heaps of glass to the open air, and given flrst-aid. Urgent telephone calls were made to the hospital, the headquarters of the St. John Ambulance, and the police, aud an alarm of lire was given when a minor outbreak was detected. A lire engine from the Mount Eden station was followed by four ambulances, and a party of police, reinforced bj traffic officers, assisted in the rescue work and in the direction of traffic. Shortly after the injured had been removed, the many girls employed at Ihe works commenced to leave. All bore traces of the ordeal through which they had passed. Cause Unknown. The cause of the explosion has not been ascertained, but it was stated officially that percussion-caps exploded cither at Miss Clifford’s machine, or else immediately behind her. The heavy machine was capsized, and a wooden support, 12in. thick, was dislodged. Occupants of homes near the works were startled by the explosion, which rocked their Louses and rattled the windows. The upper storey of the Auckland Grammar School seemed tc lurch, and boys y.ere cautioned by the masters not to give way to panic if a more severe shock followed the first. One master said that the lloor of his room swayed as though au earthquake had occurred. After the accident few of the employees were able to discuss the tragedy without signs of emotion, and none could give a'cohcrent account of what had occurred. The majority were anxious to reach home as quickly us possible although* a few lingered outside the gates, aimlessly watching the constant stream of official visitor# that entered. CAUSE A MYSTERY. NO STATEMENT AVAILABLE. MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association >’ AUCKLAND, Friday. Mr Girling Butcher, Inspector of Explosives, arrived in Auckland this morning but no statement as to the cause of the accident is yet available from him or the management. The Mayor, Mr E. Davis, received a message from tiie Prime Minister, the Wight Hon. M. J. Savage, expressing deep regret at the disaster, asking for his sympathy to be conveyed to the relatives of Miss Clifford and those injured. A similar message was sent by the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr Davis, on behalf of himself and the Mayoress, sent a message of sympathy to the relatives of Miss Clifford and those injured. The condition of the five patients in hospital this morning was reported to be satisfactory. Except for Elliott, who received lacial cuts, the patients are suffering mainly from shock and a good recovery is being made by all. The patients are in very lair spirits but will need a period of rest after their trying ordeal.