FATALITY IN A MINE. " FURTHER PARTICULARS. DEADLY STRUGGLE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 10, 12 January 1912, Page 3

FATALITY IN A MINE. " FURTHER PARTICULARS. DEADLY STRUGGLE.

Tax TXLKGBAPH— MIX» ASSOCIATION.) THAMES, llth January.' Further particulars of the fatality by which two men— James Williams, an elderly man, and Thos. Guy, 36 years of age— lost their lives in the May Queen mine are available. Guy, with five other miners, named Crawley, AdaniSj James, Vercoe, ' and Mulchy, with G. Herivel >as "shift bos>," were working in the stope above No. 6 level, which lot years had been immune from' gas. Williams was working on the lead in another part of.themine abovo the same level. Adams was sent for water for the drilk, but coon returned, shouting a- warning that gas was in the level. The minero descended the ladder-way, and reached the level in safety. Gas was then present in great volumes, and soon one candle after another went out, until only one solitary candle, held by Adams, remained ignited. Soon this went out, and in the dark a deadly struggle ensued to reach, the chamber above, where fresh air flowed. Several fell in the journey, but all reached safety except Guy, Williams, and Crawley. Assistance was secured, and the sufferers, who were all in a state of collapse, were sent to the surface. The mcD named, however, could not be found, and a search was then made. Crawley and Guy were firet found. The former had evidently been overcome while endeavouring to rescue Guy, for he was supporting the latter' s head. Both were tuken to the surface, and artificial means of respiration u&ed. Crawley recovered sufficiently to be I taken to the hospital, but Guy died soon after he reached the surface. Search meantime was being mado for Williams. It was evident that he had mifieed his way in the darkness, for he was lying m the tunnel leading to the machine. He had also received serious injury to his head, and ho was dead when brought to the surface. There was a pitiful scene at the month , of the shaft when the wives of the deceased men arrived. A Coroner's enquiry has been opened, and formal evidence of identification of the deceased was given. The scene of the accident will be inspected to-morrow, after which the enquiry will -be adjourned, as several important witnesses as to what caused the inrush of gas are to be called. [

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