SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON S.S. WAIPORI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2065, 17 December 1907, Page 2

SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON S.S. WAIPORI.

.MAN’S NECK DISLOCATED. A mail named Donald McKenzie, a local waterside worker, met with a serious accident last •night while engaged in unloading ojrerations- on hoard the s.s, Waipori, in the Bay. Shortly . after- 9.30 p.m. signals were heard from the TVailpori, and the Nautilus at once proceeded out to her, and' conveyed the injured man ashore. Prom what can he gathered it- appears that a -basket of coal was •being slung out of the hold, when it swaved considerably, and struck the coaming of the hatch. Several large -pieces of -coal fel-1' hack into the -hold, and one of them struck the unfortunate man on the hack of the head, rendering him unconscious. On arrival at- the wharf -the Harbor Board’s ambulance stretchier was requisitioned to convey the sufferer to tile Turangan.ui Hotel. Drs. A. -P. Coker and J. Carlvle Wilson- were quickly on the sceiie. and -did all in their power to alleviate the sufferings of the injured man. At first it was- -feared that his neck was broken, hut on further examination it -was found to be a- case of dislocation. Although there wore many willing volunteers to take the patient to the Hospital, the medical men considered it would he better to let him remain -at the Tura-n-ganui Hotel, -as they feared the effect of the unavoidable jolting which -would be experienced. As it was not known if McKenzie had any friends in -town, Captain -Hawke, of the Tuatea, very kindly volunteered to remain with tli-e sufferer for the night. Air. Wallace, of the Turangamu, .also gave the doctors valuable assistance in supplying hot water bott-les, etc. Shortly before the close of the medical examination McKenzie regained consciousness, and later inquiries show his condition- to he unchanged. The injured man is a member -of the • Salvation Army, and for some time past had been working on the Kaiti freezing works. He is at present paralysed down one side.