SOME FURTHER PARTICULARS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 3, 4 July 1922, Page 2

SOME FURTHER PARTICULARS

BRAVERY OF THE RESCUERS

BREAKDOWN AT MAIN POWER.

HOUSE.

Further particulars of the terrible tragedy which occurred at the Mangahao hydro-electric works on Sunday night show that a breakdown in the-' power station at headquarters oh the Shannon side of the range threw the electric fans in the Arapeti .tunnel out of gear, and fumes from the oil engine working the pumps accumulated in the workings and created deadly carbon monoxide and dioxide gases. The pumping engine, according to a message from Levin, was situated 27 chains from the entrance. The presence of tho fatal gas must have been detected, by both Maxwell and Butler, whose bodies were subsequently found about 23 chains from the tunnel mouth. The men on duty at the sub-station at Arapeti camp became uneasy at the prolonged absence of their two comrades, and three of them, P. Graham^ F. Graham, and W. Birss, went down to see what was wrong. They went in 20 chains, but could get no farther owing to the presence of gas. There was also a large quantity of water on the tunnel floor, and they donned gumboots and essayed again to penetrate farther. - .".■'-, A FATAL TASK. At this stage the little party of• three was joined by W. R. Miller (the engineer in charge at-Arapeti) and F. Birss (a tuhneUer). The five men then entered on what proved to be a fatal task, for not a -man returned,-alive. They struggled on for about 20 chains, where they were found by a later rescuing party; being still about three chains away from Maxwell and Butler, whose bodies were recovered later. .-•'■,-' | The first news of the tragedy was made known by C. Trigg, who was also on duty at the sub-station. As soon as he was relieved about midnight he made his way to the tunnel, and, seeing no sign of his mates, entered the tunnel mouth. He fought his way in until he reached the first four of his comrades, who were lying in the tunnel. He found he could do nothing for them and only just, struggled out himself to, the fresh air. After recovering he gave the alarm. . The news of what had occurred spread like wildfire through the camp, and soon men were working from all entries to assist in the rescue. The fumes were now very, dense, and it was advised that i only the Wst experienced men should be permitted to undertake the rescue of the. bodies. - There was no lack of volunteers, however, and offers of workers came from all sides. The first body discovered was that of F. Birss. A. V-liain farther on the rescuers found W. Miller, Birss, junior, and F Graham. RECOVERY OF THE VICTIMS. The rescuers had got Miller's body partly on to a" truck when they Were attacked by the fumes. J. Qu'inlan, one of-the rescue party,. was overcome and' staggered out, while T. O'Halloi-an collapsed for a time, and was got out by J. Sinclair. : Another party was got together, and they succeeded in getting the bodies of Miller, -Birss, ..'junior,\ and F. Graham on the truck, and rushed them out, picking up Kinzett, one' of the first rescue party, on the .way. He had collapsed when apparently attempting another entry. Trigg, another rescuer, was also found incapacitated, and carried out. .Both Kinzett and Trigg.were found to be in a bad way after their heroic exertions, and had to be removed for medical attention. ■ ■-. ' At 1.45 a.m. the electric fan was restarted, and at 2.10 o'clock the third party started in. They, sent out the remaining bodies, that of P. Graham being recovered'first, and then those of Maxwell and: Butler.1 The two latter were found together the greatest distance in tlie tunnel. The - fatal fumes were now being drawn out, and the rescuers,were able to follow in safety as the tunnel cleared. The only man who appeared to show signs of ( life after the rescue was F. Birss, but although artificial, respiration was tried for an hour and "a-half on all the unfortunate men it was unsuccessful. .''.'■