BELLBIRD DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 214, 4 June 1924, Page 9

BELLBIRD DISASTER

RECOVERING THE BODIES OF THE DEAD WORK MADE DANGEROUS BY GASES Sydney, June 3. The first body to be brought to the surface from amongst the victims of the Bellbird colliery disoster was that of Frederick Moodie. The work of exploring the galleries and recovering the bodies of the dead miners is proving slow and dangerous owing to the disordered condition of the workings and the presence of gases. The work is being carried on by specially-equipped gangs.—Press Assn.

(A fire broke out in the Bellbird colliery, situated in the South Maitland field, New South Wales, in September of last year, cutting off many miners from the surface. Twenty-one lives were lost and fifteen bodies were recovered. Heroic work was done r ov rescue parties, and Mr. Brown, manager of the Aberdare Mine, sacrificed his life in trying to reach the entombed men. Several men were rescued, and fifteen bodies were recovered. Six men were missing still, but as further rescue work was impossible it was decided to seal the mine with a view to subduing the fire. On May 5 the mine was unsealed for the first time since the disas,’ter. A party fitted with, oxygen apparatus entered and commenced to search for the bodies of the six miners entombed.!