ENTOMBED IN MINE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 165, 24 April 1928, Page 5

ENTOMBED IN MINE.

THREE MEN LOSE LIVES. EXPLOSION NEAR BRISBANE. (United Press Association,—Copyright). BRISBANE, April 23. An explosion at Redbank Colliery, near Brisbane, entombed Mr L. P. Lestrange (managing director of the Redbank Colliery, Ltd.), Air G. Howells (deputy-manager) and Air J. Aiarsteller, one of the staff. To-day was a holiday at the mine, and the three men descended eiu'jjr in the morning on a tour or inspection. They had not been below for long when a terrific explosion occurred and pieces of tlie pithead apparatus were hurled high in the air. When hundreds of rescuers arrived they found that the explosion had biown up one of the cages and wrecked the working" gear of the other. The miners formed a rescue brigade, which, alter a couple of hours’ work, improvised a means of descending. By this time many hundreds had arrived . at tiie pithead and watched the descent cf the three volunteers. 1

Latest advices state that the searchers succeeded in getting .down the shaft, but no hope was held out for the safety of the entombed men, who were probably killed instantaneously. The mine is very small, and «>nce the recuers reach the bottom the search should not take long, as there is only one tunnel.

Air Lestrange is one of the most'prominent men in the West Aloreton district. He has been connected with mining all his life.—Australian Press Association.

RECOVERY OF THE BODIES, (Received This Day, 9.*15 a.m.) BRISBANE, This Day. The remaining two bodies of the men entombed at the Redbank colliery were recovered five yards apart, where the effects of the explosion were worst. Air Alarsteller was severely burned. The air below was foul, and the rescuers had to retreat on two occasions.

It is believed the explosion was due to the presence of gas in the workings. "Air Lestrange leaves a widow and two children, Mr Howells a widow and two children, and Mr Alarsteller a widow and seven children.