ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2619, 29 September 1909, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

BLASTING FATALITY. ON WHAREKGPAE-TAHORA ROAD A terrible blasting accident, resulting in the death of a man named Thomas Reid, employed by Mr. P. McLoughlin on construction works on the Whare'kopae-Tahora road, took place yesterday morning at about 10.30 a.m. Reid, with several others, was working about 100 yards from where the ganger in charge had fired a shot in the rocky face through which the cut was being made. With the explosion a large, piece of rock flew across the intervening space, and struck Reid on the head, causing him to fall back on two men standing by. These also escaped narrowly, as they were covered from the blood which gushed from the injured man’s head. Death was almost instantaneous, the man’s head being shattered almost beyond reccignition and his arm broken. Medical assistance was telephoned for, but could be of nT> use. Reid, who was 45 years of age, was a native of Australia, but is believed to have relations in New Zealand. He ’leaves three children, but it is uet known whether his wife is alive. He had been at Wharekopae about a fortnight. - . The accident took place about _ 14 miles above the Wharekopae store, just below Mr. Eric Richardson’s homestead. The body is being conveyed to the store in question, where an inquest will take' place to-day before Mr. Matt, JP , acting-Coronor. Mounted-con-stable Dandy has been despatched to the scene, and will represent the police at the, inquest.

A FATAL FALL

[Pun. Pnuss Association.! AUCKLAND, Sept. 28. James Smith, accountant, admitted to the hospital in consequence of injuries sustained through a fall on August 8, died yesterday. The circumstances required an inquest. Which is proceeding. SUICIDE OF A FARMER.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. Frank Maskill, a farmer, aged 30, shot himself dead at Okataraka, beyond the Upper Hntt, yesterday. He left a note saying he intended to commit suicide.