MINER TRAPPED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21512, 29 June 1935, Page 14

MINER TRAPPED

CAUGHT BY FALL OF COAL EFFORTS OF WORKMATES RESCUE THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE TILL MORNING (sriXIAL TO THE PRESS.I BLACKBALL, June 28. A fall of coal in the Blackball Creek mine to-night has trapped a miner who it is certain is still alive, and working parties are digging frantically through the night in an attempt to rescue him. The man trapped is Richard Brady, a single man, a native of Scotland, employed as a deputy at the mine. Brady was engaged in repair work, such as is carried out by deputies, and a fail of coal at 8 o'clock cut him off from the mine mouth. A call was immediately sent for rescuers, and all those employed at the mine and many more from Blackball, where there is another mine, are assisting in the rescue work. Brady's voice could plainly be heard by the rescue party. At 10.30, two and a half hours alter the fall, it was estimated that there was still a section of 18 feet of coal and rock separating Brady from the rescue party, and it was thought impossible that the rescuers could reach him before or 7 to-morrow morning. Brady could be heard digging, and from this it is thought that he is uninjured. The rescuers a. e confident that, unless further falls occur, Brady will be saved alive in the morning. It is stated that there is nothing m ihe mine atmosphere to injure him. A workmate of Brady's. Walter Thompson, narrowly missed the fall, and was able to make his way to the mine mouth unassisted. The Blackball mine, which was formerly known as Balderstone and Party's Co-operative mine is about two miles from Blackball on a hillside and has been working for some years. There is no telephone at the mine, and it will be some time before 'news of the rescue, if one is - ffected. reaches even as far as B 1 tckball township. All availab.e miners, including the manager of, the Blackball mine, Mr J. G. are assisting in the rescue wont, and Dr. H. Hutson, of Blackball, is waiting in readiness at the mine mouth in case of a rescue.