ACETYLENE GAS EXPLOSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2678, 7 December 1909, Page 4

ACETYLENE GAS EXPLOSION

LAD KILLED AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

rPim T’kksh Absociation.l PALMERSTON N., Dec. 6. An explosion of acetylene gas with shocking results occurred in Church Street East on Saturday evening. Edward Mundy, a lad fourteen years of age, was killed almost instantly. He was a son of Mr. James Mundy, bootmaker. and being of a mechanical turn of mind, had made an acetylene gas generator out of an oil drum, which fitted loosely into a circular tank filled with water. The gas was used to light up a small cinematograph apparatus wh oh deceased had. It appears that just after six o’clock deceased and his brother William were attempting to light the tube fixed at the end of the oil drum, when the explosion occurred. Deceased must have been leaning over the generator at the time, for the top of the oil drum was blown out. and struck him in the face, cutting the top of his head clean oIV from the cyeg to the bacK of the skull. Deceased's arm was also broken by the explosion. The top of tho oil drupi struck the roof of the shed with tremendous force, taking a piece out of ono of tho rafters, and lifting off Urn roof. Deceased's brother had a very narrow escape. He had his hand near the generator when tho explosion occurred, 110 received a very severe injury to his right hand. Dr. O’Brien was called in, and found deceased |n a frightful condition, and just breathing his iast. An -inquest was held this morning, the verdict being that deceased was killed by an accidental explosion of acetylene gas.