THE DUNBACK TRAGEDY
TWO LIVES LOST.
David McMillan, a single man, who is believed to have resided at Waikouaiti, died yesterday as the result of injuries sustained through an explosion in the quarry at the Milburn Lime and Cement Company’s kilns at Dunback, and Ernest Cox and William McIntosh are at present inmates of the Dunedin Hospital suffering from injuries received.
Cox, who is 25 years of age, is a married man residing at Dunback. He sustained venous injuries to the head, and is on the dangerously ill list.
McIntosh, who is a single man, 22 years of age, also residing at Dunback, received injuries to the head and a fractured leg. His injuries are not so serious as those sustained by Cox.
The men were engaged in blasting schist in order to get at the beds of limestone, and the manager of the kiln, Mr R. M Intosh, who was in charge of the operations, gave them warning to get into safety, which they did. However, for some inexplicable reason McMillan, Cox, and McIntosh left the safety zone in order to change their positions, and, while thus occupied, the charge exploded, and they were struck by pieces of flying rock.
On advice of the accident being received, the St. John Ambulance motor was promptly despatched from the Central Fire Brigade Station, but McMillan died before it arrived at Dunback. Cox and McIntosh were conveyed to the Dunedin Hospital by means of the ambulance, and arrived at that institution early yesterday evening.
William Ernest Cox, one of the victims of the Dunback quarry accident, died from his iniuries at the Dunedin Hospital early on Wednesday. This is the second death which has occurred, David McMillan, the first victim, having expired before the ambulance reached the scene of the accident.
The condition of William McIntosh, who was also injured, and who is an inmate of the Dunedin Hospital, was reported last night to be a little better.
INQUEST ON THE VICTIMS.
An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of William Ernest Cox, who died at the Dunedin Hospital early yesterday morning as a result of injuries sustained in the Dunback quarry accident, was held at the Hospital yesterday, before the coroner, Mr J R. Bartholomew, S.M. Evidence of identification was given by David Gordon Cox, brother of deceased, who stated that his brother was a married man, aged 25 years.
Dr N. C. Speight, house surgeon at the Hospital, stated that deceased was admitted about 8.30 o’clock on Tuesday night in a semi-conscious condition, suffering from severe shock, a fractured skull, severe internal injuries, and abrasions. Deceased was in a low state. An operation was performed about 11 p.m and deceased seemed to rally, but he collapsed and died shortly after 2.30 a.m. Witness would say death was due to shock following a fracture of the skull and internal injuries.
The Coroner then adjourned the inquest sine die.
The inquest on the body of David McMillan, the first victim of the accident, will be opened at Waitati this morning, before the coroner, Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. The inquest on the body of David Edward McMillan, who lost his life as the result of the explosion at Dunback on Tuesday, was opened at his father’s residence at Waitati before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.. sitting as coroner, on Thursday. After the father of the deceased had given formal evidence the inquest was adjourned sine die. -Otago Witness. 18/3/1924.
BIRTHS.
COX. — On March 19, at Roslyn, to Mrs and the late William Cox, of Dunback — a son. Both well. -Otago Witness, 25/3/1924.
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