Miner Lost After Workings Flood

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31027, 5 April 1966, Page 1

Miner Lost After Workings Flood

Zealand Press Association) GREYMOUTH, April 4. A miner, James William Cooper, of Cronadun, was still missing tonight after being swept away by water which flooded a private coalmine at Boatmans, near Reefton, this morning. There is little or no hope of finding him alive.

Mr Cooper was one of four men working in the mine at 8 a.m. today when, a loud rumbling noise was heard, and water and mud suddenly gushed into the workings. Three of the men managed to reach safety but Mr Cooper was swept away.

One of the three who escaped, Norman Richard Alborn, was admitted to the Inangahua Hospital with head injuries. A hospital spokesman said he was in a satisfactory condition tonight. The other two are Andrew Clemen* Reid and Joseph Donald Blair. Loud Rumble The Greymouth reporter of “The Press” writes that the four were moving gear soon after entering the mine at 8 o’clock when they heard a loud rumble and then there was a rush water and slush through a~wall which separated the mine from an old worked-out area. Mr Blair managed to squeeze himself into a cutting

in the rocks, thereby escapin; the initial force of the rush. He was also able to grab hold of Mr Alborn, who had been knocked unconscious by loose rock and timber. Swirled Past Mr Cooper and Mr Reid were swirled past deeper into the mine. Mr Blair struggled to the surface with his injured companion while Mr Reid was also able to clamber out. Mr Cooper, however, had disappear a. The Press Association reports that Mr D. F. Brown. Reefton district manager of State mines, who helped to supervise rescue work, said that this morning and early in the afternoon pumps have been unable to cope with the

continuing inrush of mud and water.

Even after the flow steadied at 2 p.m. he was sure that nothing would be seen for a day or two. He described the water in the mine as being like a “thick, thick porridge.” “Recovery of the body will be quite a big job,” he said.