KILLED BY GAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 222, 19 September 1930, Page 8

KILLED BY GAS.

TWO MEN IN COAL MINE.

.TRAGEDY IN -SOUTH ISLAND.

MANAGER ANI> WORKMAN ' . OVERCOME. EFFORTS, AT RESCUE. (By Telegraph.—Press "Association.), , DUNEDIN, Thursday. The Bruce Railway and Coal Company's v coal mine ■at - Waronui, South Otago, was the scene of a tragic accident to-day, when two: men lost their lives. They were:— James: Carruthers, aged about 40, mine manager, a married man with three i children. Joseph Morris, miner, married. Mr. Carruthers . and Mr. Morris had resumed work after the lunch horn: at driving,a new 1 air-shaft- into: the mine workings, the former air .shaft having been blocked by a fall of earth. The new shaft had been completed for slightly more than 30ft, at'- which point there. Were two,sharp dips to the roof of the mine. On knocking off the planking of thp roof there must have been a .of carbon' dioxide gas, by were overcome.

Signal For Assistance. , They, signalled for assistance to two miners, Messrs. Henreicli .Hansen and Robert 'Boyd, "who were working on the "surface. Mr. Hansen rushed into the drive, but was immediately driven hack by the fumes. Mr. Boyd attempted a .rescue,' but was, also driven; back. : Mr. Hansen: then rushed away for assistance to. another .part of the,,mine - some' distance , away. -.Mr. , Robert McDonald came with a rope, and,with:.this . attached ,to - his "body, proceeded into the drive, but he was overcome by the fumes and was pulled out by Hansen and Boyd in a semi-conscious condition. After receiving , medical attention he was .'removed, during the afternoon . to the , Jiospital at Milton. He; was reported *te-night to ibe prpgrfis'sixigi favourably \

Gas masks were procured from exservicemen in Milton, but these proved useless for "rescue purposes, and nothing could be done until tlie arrival by motor car of a party from the Kaitangata mine;, equipped with the proper appliances. This party consisted of Messrs. William Carson, mine manager, Frederick Carson, .and George Duggan, inspector "of mines for Otago. Mr. Duggan happened to be visiting Kaitangata when the. news' of the tragedy came to hand. '.

The party arrived atWaronui about 4 p.m. After fitting on a gas helmet, Mr. William Carson • entered the 'shaft and almost immediately discovereid the bodies, which were lying about 35ft .from the entrance. Ho had to make several trips, cofriing out for air, before the bodies 'could be taken out. lAfter strenuous and heroic w.ork under most dangerous conditions the bodies were recovered. ■ Mr. Carruthers' body was . the. first to be recovered, being brought out * about 4.45 p.m. Mr.- Morris body was, recovered at 5.20 p.m. Artificial: respiration was applied without avail, and the-bodies were conveyed to Milton. • _ Mr. Carruthers was a returned soldier, having served in the Rifle Brigade and Tunnelling Corps. He had held the position of mine manager for over ten years. Mr. Morris had been employed, at the mine for a considerable periods This is the first fatal accident that has occurred .at the mine since it was opened over.2o years.ago. ' '