Thomas Dennington, (1840-28/9/1885). "the treacherous nature of the earth"

FATAL ACCIDENT AT WINDSOR.

News was received in town last night that a fatal accident had occurred at the Windsor railway works. At the time of writing, full particulars have not reached us, but it appears that a heavy fall of earth took place in the approach to the tunnel, and by this a man named Thomas Dennington was completely buried, When extricated, which was done without loss of time, the unfortune man was quite dead, having probably died from suffocation. The body was removed to the Windsor Hotel, and information sent to town. Mr Dennington leaves a wife and family to mourn his loss, and their sorrow is embittered by a knowledge of the fact that, through want of work, the deceased had been compelled to forego the wise provision he had for some time been making for his family. Thus he had to allow his insurance policy to lapse, and was unable so to keep up his payments to a friendly society so as to secure the benefits which societies of the kind grant in case of death. We are informed that Mr Dennington was in Oamaru on Sunday, on a visit to his family, and that he then stated that the ground in the tunnel was becoming very treacherous; but little did he think that he would so soon fall a victim to the treacherous nature of the earth which he was called to work, and beneath which he was entombed so soon after resuming work yesterday morning.  -Oamaru Mail, 29/9/1885.

The 'North Otago Times' reports that at the inquest on Thomas Dennington, who met with his death from a fall of earth at the Livingston railway works, it transpired that deceased was working in a face, excavating a chamber for a fall. The ground was not thought to be loose, as there had been no previous breaks. A mass of earth, however, came away, covering deceased. So great was the quantity of earth that it took twelve men an hour and three-quarters to get the body out. The evidence of Dr Garland was that death was caused by suffocation, and a verdict was returned accordingly. Deceased leaves his family quite unprovided for.  -Evening Star, 30/9/1885.

DEATHS.

DENNINGTON — On the 28th inst.. at Windsor, by accident, Thomas Dennington, aged 45 years, native of Kilsyth, Scotland. Deeply regretted. 

The funeral will leave his late residence, Wansbeck-street, on Thursday, the 1st October, at 2 p.m. Friends will please accept this intimation. 

H. Sidon, Undertaker.  -Oamaru Mail, 30/9/1885.

Oamaru Cemetery.