HYMN OF DEATH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 February 1926, Page 3

HYMN OF DEATH.

SANG WHILE BURIED UNDER ROOF FALL. MINER’S END. Pinned under a mass oi debris, with, liis life slowly ebbing from him, a miner sang “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,” while those who were trying to rescue him worked feverishly, but in vain (says the Kilmarnock correspondent of the Dondon Daily Mail). The dying miner was William McKenna. of Ricearton, who met his death in Kirkstyle pit, near Kilmarnock. He was the victim of a fall of the roof of a gallery, and although he was the only on© to he killed, five others had a remarkable escape. The rescue party worked on until they were certain that their friend was beyond human aid. They kept at their task until they had uncovered a leg of the imprisoned man. Examination showed that the pulse had stopped. Only then did the rescuers cease their labours and think of their own safety. Rack they went, some of them bearing injuries they had received from the fall that had engulfed McKenna. RESCUED BY BROTHER.

Another miner, Francis Rodman, was severely injured, and was rescued bv his brother Philip and three others —John Steel, Archibald Brown and George Strain. , . The men were engaged widening the haulage road at the pit bottom when the roof suddenly collapsed. _ It was an act of Providence that Brown and Strain had a- miraculous escape, for, had it not been for them, worse might have happened. _ They were thrown aside and received minor injuries. Feverishly they set to work to rescue their comrades. Steel was nearest them, and by digging and tearing at the debris they got him clear. Then Steel, ‘ though somewhat injured, joined the two in their gallant work. The trio next liberated Philip Rodman, who was pinned under a mass of debris. And as the noble labour proceeded there came the plaintive cry: “Do not leave me. Phil.” The speaker was Francis Rodman. His brother Philip, likewise scarred, as were the others, now made up the rescue party to four. “ROCK OF AGES.”

Every minute they were threatened by a further fall of roof, but with their fingers they dug and tore at the stones. Their fingers were bleeding, but they never stopped to think of anything but their imprisoned comrades. They undoubtedly saved the life of Francis. When they got the debris clear they found that a girder had jammed his foot, and to free him they cut ofF his boot and sock. By this time more willing hands had arrived at- the scene of the accident, and Francis was taken to the.pit top. It was at this stage of the rescue work that there came the muffled voice of McKenna. In the darkness the faint singing of •'‘Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me” came from the mass of debris. The weird sound was like a tonic to the rescuers, already somewhat exhausted by their efforts. There was a triumphant note, even it if was not undoleful. in the voice_ of the brave McKenna, but the singing and the exclamations of “Hallelujah” grew fainter and fainter until they ceased altogether.