ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.
A young man named John Sinclair, employed as a painter by Messrs Omand and Drew, met with an accident yesterday, which had a fatal termination. He was engaged painting Mr Gillies' factory, in Cumberland street, in the afternoon, when he missed his footing, and fell from a height of 25ft, cutting his head badly and fracturing his skull. He was conveyed to the hospital, where he received medical attendance, but died at about half-past 6 o'clock. There will probably be an inquest to-day. -Otago Daily Times, 14/6/1890.
INQUEST.
An inquest was held before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of sis (Mr C. Croxford, foreman) at the Bowling Green Hotel on Saturday afternoon on the body of John Archibald Sinclair, who died in the hospital on the previous evening in consequence, of injuries sustained in falling from the top of Messrs Craig and Gillies' factory in King street. The following facts were adduced in evidence: —
Andrew Sinclair, brother of deceased, residing in Cumberland street, said that his brother was born at Dunedin, and was 20 years of age. He was employed as a painter at Messrs Omand and Drew's. Witness last saw him alive in the morning before he left to go to business. He saw him afterwards at the hospital, but deceased was then unconscious.
Robert Fordice, employed by Messrs Omand and Drew, stated that he was working with deceased on Friday. They were engaged at work on the top of the roof of Craig and Gillies' factory in King street. At the time of the accident deceased was working on a ladder lying on the iron of a slanting roof. Witness was working on another ladder. There was only a spouting at the edge of the roof, then came a drop of from 25ft to 30ft to the ground, upon which were some empty boxes. The ladders were held in position by pieces of wood, which acted as clamps, and which, catching on the ridge, prevented the ladder from slipping. Witness caw Sinclair driving a nail into the roof to keep a loose sheet of iron in place. Just when he had got the nail home the clamp of the ladder became unfastened, and deceased, having nothing to support him, fell over the roof. Witness got over the roof to the next building, and from there into the factory by means of a window. When he got near to where Sinclair was he saw Alexander Bain holding him in his arms. Witness then went for a doctor, and while he was away deceased was removed to the hospital. That afternoon Sinclair fixed his own ladder, while witness placed his own in position. It was a common way in which to work on the roofs of houses. The clamp of wood under the ladder would be about 3in thick. It was not usual to use a rope — other men worked in a similar fashion.
To the Jury: The ladder was examined afterwards, and the cleat was intact — it had not been broken. The thickness of the side of the ladder would be about an inch and a-half.
To the Coronor: Mr Drew was at the factory on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, and saw the ladder on both occasions. In his absence the job was superintended by deceased.
Dr Copland deposed that deceased was brought to the hospital about five minutes past 3 on Friday afternoon. He was unconscious, and upon being examined a small scalp wound about an inch above the right temple was found. The head was covered with blood, while the body was bruised. He remained completely unconscious, and died about 20 minutes past 6 in the evening. The cause of death was most probably fracture of the base of the skull, and hemorrhage inside the skull.
Alexander Bain, cabinetmaker, said he was working in his bench room at Gillies' factory on Friday afternoon when he heard something falling, and remembering that there were men working upon the roof he ran outside, and saw deceased lying on his back in the yard. Witness removed some lids of boxes and a piece of frame which were lying upon Sinclair and picked him up. One end of the ladder was resting on the ground, the other leaning against an adjoining staging. When picked up deceased was unconscious.
George Drew, one of deceased's employers, said that on Thursday and Friday he saw where Sinclair was working. He had heard how the ladder was placed on the roof, and on Thursday worked with his employes on the same ladders. It was usual with work of that kind, where the ladder had to be shifted every few minutes, to have no other support to the ladder than that mentioned. A better arrangement might be made in future. Witness had seen the clamp of the ladder, and there was nothing to lead him to suppose that the clamp gave way. Witness thought the ladder was perfectly safe. There was always a certain amount of risk in working upon a roof.
Several jurors, who said they were painters, &c, remarked that the usual manner in which the roofs of houses were painted had been followed. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and added a rider to the effect that there should be better appliances provided when workmen were engaged on the roofs of buildings. They suggested that double ladders should be used instead of single "duck" ladders. -Otago Daily Times, 16/6/1890.
A SAD CASE.
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir, — I was pleased to read a letter in your issue of the 16th calling the attentions of painters to a very important matter connected with their trade, and I hope it will be the means of doing good. Might I also ask you to bring before your readers the circumstances of the late John Sinclair's family. At the time of this fatal accident he was the principal member of his family in work, and now his mother and her family are in great need of assistance. The Rev. Dr Stuart, Waddell, A. H. Wallace, and Mr Pauli have consented to receive and acknowledge subscriptions. Their names will be a guarantee of the worthiness of the case.
— I am, etc., A Sympathiser. Dunedin, July 18. -Evening Star, 18/6/1890.
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