FATALLY INJURED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10313, 24 January 1927, Page 2

FATALLY INJURED

- ■ — — s ACCIDENT ON S.S. ARAWA

(INQUEST ON “BIG MAG.”

The events surrounding the tragic accident on the steamer Arawa while loading in the roadstead ou tlie night of January 4, when a native, Meke Maputaera, usually known as “Big Mac” on the waterfront, who was operating the amidships *vinch on the vessel, was fatally injured by the derrick falling on him, were inquired into by the Coroner, Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., on Saturday. Dr. J. Hall, medical superintendent of the Cook Hospital, stated that on examination Maputaera was found to be suffering from a compound fracture of bis right femur and severe bruising of his abdominal wall. After the wounds were dressed he became very restless and removed his splints, and eventually a fluid swelling became evident. The swelling then became infected and he died on January 15. Witness made a post mortem examination and found that beyond a slight fracture there were no other fractures. The abdominal wall had a large cavity filled with blood due to the rupture of a small vessel. With the exception of the lungs, which showed signs of hypostatic congestion, all the other organs were normal. The cause of death in his opinion was due to septacaemia, secondary to his injuries. Formal evidence of the remo/ul of the body from the hospital to deceased’s "home was given by Thomas Ha ism an.

CHANGE OF JO‘>

Among the men selected on Q.e morning of the accident to load the Arawa front lighters in the roadstead was Maputaera, stated. Albert Read, foreman stevedore, who selected the men. “Big Mac”, as Maputaera was commonly known on the waterfront, was originally engaged for work below 'the hatch, but on arrival at the Arawa witness appealed for a man to drive one of the winches and “Mac” volunteered, saying “1 can drive one; I’ve driven one before for you.” “Mac” operated the first tour or fivo slings satisfactorily and was allowed to proceed. He was working No. 1 "hatch all day loading meat, which, however, was soit, so it was dumped on the floor of the hold, it being decided by the ship s officers to re shift it while the vessel was loading in Auckland.

“A HEAVY SMASH.”

“While standing near No. 2 hatch about 9.30 p.m.,” continued witness, “I heard a heavy smash and a man called out “There’s someone under the derrick.” Ho then saw “Big Mac” lying under the derrick which had collapsed and was resting on the lower deck rail. The injured man was attended by tho .ship’s doctor, anu then taken ashore, where he was met l,v Dr Gunn and conveyed to the hospital in the ambulance. On examining the derrick subsequently witness said lie saw that the fall rope, which was a new one that morning, had carried away, allowing the derrick to crash. The rope broke jaggedly, eacn strand breaking separately. Under cross-examination by Mr Gurnard, witness stated that the ial rope o; the topping up gear had given away. The boatswain had subsequently informed him that it was a new rope mat morning and judging by its appearance there could be no < doubting that statement. A rope like the one which had broken 'wulu hear a strain ol lour tons, and the strain to which it was usually su > Acted was about loewt. Witness admitted there was no safety detjee that could have been erected to pi - vent the derrick falling by the breaking of the fall rope except perhaps to hitch up a preventer rope to a bloc-K. The lighting of the v essel was as good as any of the ships that visited tne port. Questioned by Mr V aucliop, wi ness stated that the fall rope that broke had been in use all tout morning, and was carrying about the same weight then as at the time ot the accident. The topping up gear, he said, was rigged the same way on all boats throughout New Zealand. 11 e had inspected the gear -leiorc epilations were commenced and lound it quite satisfactory and he had received no complaints lrom tne v. •nclnnen. The gear, he explained, was a.ways inspected before vessels left mam ports for loading in roadstead poits. The lighting of the vessel was good, and he considerd that if the lull i °I K •vvas fraying “Mac” could have seen it. MEN CALLED FOR MORE LIGHT. Edward Liiulley, a watersider who was working the yardarm wmeh cm the night that the mid-ships vvmc derrick fell on “Big Mac , HWcd that tho lighting of the vessel was very bad. “I couldn’t see the hatchmad twenty yards away, 1,0 “There was a beacon light and the men called out for more light, ami it was put on'the ships side, tlm ]editing on the deck also was wry bad and 1 could not see the o'crhoad gear on looking at .it. -* ll witness admitted that he did not sec the accident, but heard the crash r.s >»- Mr W»n»l.o|V the witness admitted that he did no examine the midship’s fall rope attached to the derrick as he had no occasion to do so.

At this stage two watersider.-, were called, but were not present, being engaged in the Bay, and the Coroiie , holding their evidence might be material regarding the lighting and condition of the gear during the day, - ' jot,mod the inquest until 10.30 a.m. to-day.