Norman Scrimgeour, (1913-25/12/1934). "burst into flames"

SEVERELY INJURED.

YOUNG MECHANIC'S ORDEAL. 

PETROL BURSTS' INTO FLAMES.

Burns of a serious nature were sustained on Saturday afternoon oy Mr Norman Scrimgeour, aged 21 years, son of Mr D. Scrimgeour, of North-East Belt, Ashburton, when a quantity of petrol in a tin he was holding in his hand caught fire. 

Mr Scrimgeour, who is a mechanic, was engaged on repair work to a motor lorry at the garage of his employer, Mr A. Hardy, of Winchmore, and he was cleaning portions of the lorry engine when the petrol suddenly burst into flames, which enveloped the upper part of his body. 

He rushed toward Mr Hardy's residence, and assistance in beating out the flames was given by Miss Hardy, who ran to the stricken man's aid. 

Mr Scrimgeour suffered most painful and extensive burns, and was admitted to the Ashburton Public Hospital, where his condition was found to be dangerous. This afternoon he was reported to be unchanged. 

It is surmised that a spark caused by an electric wire coming into contact with the steering rod or the gear lever in the cab of the lorry, set the petrol alight. Mr Scrimgeour does not smoke, and had no matches with him at the time of the accident.  -Ashburton Guardian,  3/12/1934.

Mr Norman Scrimgeour. who was severely burned by petrol on Saturday afternoon at Winchmore, is still in a dangerous condition.  -Star, 5/12/1934.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

THE Funeral of the late Norman Scrimgeour will leave the residence of Mr David Jones, Cox Street West, Ashburton, TO-MORROW (Thursday), December 27, at 1 p.m., for the Ashburton Cemetery. 

BAKER BROS. AND SHAW.  -Ashburton Guardian, 26/12/1934.

YOUNG MAN’S DEATH.

RESULT OF SEVERE BURNS.

MR N. SCRIMGEOUR SUCCUMBS.

Severely burnt about the upper part of his body on December 1, Mr Norman Scrimgeour, aged 21, a son of Mr and Mrs D. Scrimgeour, of Ashburton, who had been a patient in the Ashburton Public Hospital since his accident, succumbed to his injuries yesterday.

Employed as a mechanic by Mr A. Hardy, cartage contractor, of Winchmore, Mr Scrimgeour was enveloped in flames when petrol in a tin which he was using to clean the magneto of a motor-lorry burst into flames. He suffered burns about the body and limbs.

An inquest into the circumstances of his death was opened before the District-Coroner (Mr R. Clark) last evening. After evidence of identification had been given by deceased’s father, the inquest was adjourned sine die.  -Ashburton Guardian, 26/12/1934.

Ashburton Cemetery.