COLLIERY EXPLOSION

Grey River Argus, 29 July 1925, Page 5

COLLIERY EXPLOSION

IN NEW SOUTH WALES. MINERS KILLED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) SYDNEY, July 27. An explosion at the Aletropolita.l Colliery, Helensburgh, killed two miners, George West, twenty-live, and Frederick Green, twenty-six. Deceased, with seven other miners were working in the fine, when a pick penetrated in a pocket of gas. The nui e of the gas escaping was heard, and the seven others ran to safety. Green and West remained and were killed instantly, by the ensuing explosion. Their bodies were recovered. Both victims were married, each with one child. Both were recent arrivals from the Oid Country. It was the most tragic mining disaster that has occurred on the South Coast for over 29 years. Immediately after the explosion, the under manager and assistant manager descended to the pit, their heads swathed in wet clothes, and recovered the bodies. A horse was also killed. An exactly similar disaster occurred at the same colliery twenty-nine years ago. wb'm three men and a horse were killed. Fortunately electric safet-’ lamps are used in the mine, otherwise the latest catastrophe would have l.eeii a ppalling.