ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.
[press association.] HAWERA, July 6.
H. K. Harty, a middle-aged man, took a fit in the street this morning and died shortly after his admission to the hospital.
DUNEDIN, This Day.
Daniel McLeod, single, aged 22, was killed at Gore's brickworks at Wingatui this morning by a fall of clay, death being almost instantaneous. -Bush Advocate, 7/7/1910.
THE WINGATUI FATALITY
An inquest on the body of Donald McLeod, who was killed at Gores brick yards, Wingatui, through a quantity of clay falling on him, was held in the courthouse, Mosgeil, yesterday afternoon, before Mr W. R. F. Fraser (acting coroner) and a jury of six, of whom Mr W. Smellie was foreman.
Mr J. S. Sinclair appeared for the brickworks owners, and Mr Finch for deceased’s relatives. Constable M\Walton conducted the inquiry for the police.
Michael Harty, laborer, said he was employed in the brick yards at Wingatui. He commenced work with the deceased at 8 o’clock on the morning of the 7th inst., together with two other men, Robert Evans and Thomas Robinson. They began to dig at a fall between nine and half-past nine. The deceased went up to the top to examine the fall, and he (deceased) expressed himself satisfied with its safety. Witness, deceased, and Evans were working below, and Robinson was above. Presently Robinson called out “Look out.” The fall then came away, and gripped deceased. Witness and his mates went to lift deceased out. He was buried up to the breast in clay. He never spoke a word. Witness considered that Robinson gave sufficient warning to got clear. — Cross-examined by Mr Sinclair, witness said deceased must have heard the warning. The deceased would have had more time to get away than Evans, who would have to get clear by about four yards to be out. of danger. If deceased had immediately run straight out he must have got to safety. In witness’s opinion every precaution was taken to prevent an accident.
Robert Evans, laborer, employed at the brick yards, gave corroborative evidence. He heard Robinson’s call, and got clear by about twelve yards. The fall would be about two tons in weight.
Thomas Robinson also said he had been employed at the works for about two years. He was on the top of the fall “stripping” when deceased called out to him to watch the fall, while they took the “legs” out. As soon as the fall began to give way witness gave warning. The only reason he could give for deceased’s inability to get clear was that he must have slipped.
Dr. Allan gave evidence as to the wounds on deceased. He thought death was due to shock.
Chas. Gore also gave evidence, and described the method adopted for making a “fall.”
This concluded the evidence, and the jury, after a few minutes’ consultation, returned a verdict to the effect that “the deceased, Donald McLeod, was accidentally killed by a fall of earth, and that, in their opinion, no blame was attachable to anyone.” -Evening Star, 9/7/1910.