Fatal Dredge Accident.
Death at all times is surrounded with sadness and sorrow, but never is grief more widespread than when a young life is unexpectedly cut short. Thus it was when news rapidly spread early on Thursday morning that a fatal accident had occurred on the Shine No II dredge, by which a highly esteemed young resident, Mr John Wrightson, had met his death. Exactly how this happened is a question that cannot be conclusively solved. Reading through the evidence at the inquest, which is herewith detailed in full, the position appears to be that deceased, with his mate, went on the twelve to eight shift on Thursday morning. Everything went well until after 6.30. As usual his mate, the fireman, was carrying out the work of cleaning up prior to being relieved, and was working astern. Going forward to attend to the boiler he failed to find any trace of his mate, and received a great shock on finding his body inside the winch, his clothes and side being entangled in two gear wheels and life extinct. How this came about can only lead to surmise.
The news came as a great shock to the whole town and district, wherein deceased was held in the highest esteem, and it seemed hard that the unfortunate young man, a returned soldier, after having daily faced death on the battlefields of France, was wounded, and returned to his native land to enjoy his due reward in peaceful surroundings, should meet an unexpected death in such a distressing manner. Deceased was a native of the town, a son of Isabella and the late John Wrightson. He was educated at the Cromwell School, and thereafter followed several occupations and for years was employed by a local stonemason, and eventually turned his attention to dredging. Of manly characteristics, and a sterling workman, his services were sought in many walks of life, and he was one who could be depended on to do his duty, and always had the full confidence of his employer. Wherever he engaged in the lighter side of life, he was always looked up to by those associated with him. Of fine physique, he was a sterling forward in Rugby ranks, was also a keen member of the old volunteer forces, and a leading rifle shot. For several years he was a member of the borough council, wherein he did good work. He enlisted with the First Battalion, Rifle Brigade, in 1915, seven other young men going forward the same day. The deceased, in the rank of corporal, was always looked upon as the guiding star of the party, and quickly assumed the appropriate title of "father." He took part in the engagement against the Senussi tribe in December, 1915, and afterwards went with the forces to France. There he was wounded, and from the effects of this and an attack of illness, he was finally invalided home. While in the Homeland he was married, his wife joining him in New Zealand early this year. His death is mourned by a circle of friends far and wide, and to his bereaved wife, in a sense a stranger in a strange land, and the many relations, the deepest sympathy goes out in their sudden and distressing bereavement. To these we join also in extending our sympathy. Among the many messages of condolence was one from the Minister of Mines.
The remains were interred in the New Cemetery on Sunday with military, honors. The cortege was headed by the band, then came the Freemasons, of which deceased was a member, the Territorials and a large body of returned soldiers. The latter acted as pall-bearers and supplied the firing party and the bugler (C. Betts), who sounded the Last Post. The service was conducted by Rev. Rankin, and the Freemasons also performed their last rites. -Cromwell Argus, 25/11/1918.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT CROMWELL.
A distressing accident occurred on the Rise and Shine No. 2 dredge early on Thursday morning by which Mr John Wrightson, about 44 years of age, met his death. He was caught in the wheels of the winch, death being practically instantaneous. He was a native of Cromwell, and a highly-respected resident. He served with the first battalion of the Rifle Brigade in Egypt and France, and returned early in 1917, after being wounded. He was married while in England, and is survived by his wife, who came to Cromwell this year. At the inquest, held at Cromwell on Saturday, before Mr E. Murrell, acting coroner, and a jury of six, the following verdict was returned. — "That the deceased came by his death through being caught in the cog wheels of the winch on the Rise and Shine No. II dredge, there being no conclusive evidence to show how he got there." -Lake County Press, 25/11/1918.
IN MEMORIAM
WRIGHTSON. — In loving memory of John Macaulay Wrightson, dearly beloved husband of Isabella Wrightson, accidentally killed at Cromwell on November 21, 1918. Inserted by his loving wife and, child. -Otago Witness, 23/11/1920.
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