COLLAPSE OF A TRENCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 14, 17 January 1905, Page 5

COLLAPSE OF A TRENCH.

FATAL ACCIDENT IN FREEMAN'S BAY. LABOURERS BURIED ALIVE. The site of the new dust destructor for the Auckland City Council at the corner of .Drake and Patteson streets, Freeman's Bay, was the scene of an accident this morning by which a navvy named Jack Russell was killed, and another named Michael McCluie narrowly escaped the horrible fate of burial alive. The land in the vicinity is reclaimed, and where the foundations for the destructor building were being dug, the trenches had to be cut through soft clay. Last night the workmen employed by Messrs Featherston and Isicholls started to cut a trench on *se Drakestreet side of the site, and by 11.45 this morning they had taken it about eight feet below the surface. McClure and Russell were engaged at the deep end fixing a set of timbers to support the sides. One set was already in position, about three feet below the surface, and the second set was another three feet below it. Without any warning the Drake-street side of the trench, for a distance of about three yards, slid outwards, and when the other workmen, alarmed by the cry of, "The trench is down!" rusjred to where Russell and MoClure were employed, Russell could not be seen. He had been completely buried several feef? beneath the clay, and his companion, McClure, was buried up to the heck. The City Council's inspector of works (Mr T. D. Forsyth) was on the scene, and he quickly realised that unless the trench near McClure was kept back by timbering it would close up and completely bury the unfortunate man. Planks were put down the trench and used as levers to keep bade the falling earth, a score of ready volunteers holding them firmly in position while others worked frantically to uncover RnaselPs head. Dr. Porter, who was telephoned for, came in a few minutes, and at 12.30, about three-quarters of an hour after the accident happened, be was able to see Russell's face. The poor fellow -was then beyond human aid, but the work of extricating his body proceeded. At the other end of the fall was McClure, who had been refreshed by a drink of watsr, and was able to speak to the men who were loosening the soil around him. It was a laborious and anxious process, as there was the threatening danger of a bigger fall occurring. However, after about an hour's work McClure was able to straggle out of the hole, and unassisted, amid the cheers of the relieved spectators, he climbed out of the trench. His clothing was torn, and his hair matted with clay. He was able to walk across the street to the Freeman's Hotei, where he was bathed and examined by Dr. Porter, who found that be had escaped marvellously, having only a few bruises about the body.' Meanwhile the recovery of Russell's body was proceeded with, the process being watched by several hundred spectators, who were prevented by Constables Cox and Melvor from crowding too close to the trench. Russell, who was also known by the surname of O'Brien, lived at Woodford boardinghouse, Upper Queen-street, and belonged to Sydney, where all his relatives reside. MeClure, who had such, a narrow escape, is an Aucklander, living, in Symonds-street. Russell's body, was recovered at 2.30 p.m. Across bis chest was a piece of the timbering he had been The police removed the body to the morgue to await the usual inquest, which will be held before Mr T. Gresham, coroner.