MAN KILLED IN TUNNEL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1928, Page 3

MAN KILLED IN TUNNEL

UY FA!!. OF EARTH. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 13. Crushed beneath a fall of earth in a. tunnel at Morningside, at 1.30 this morning, William Everett, of Waima Street, Grey Lynn, went through a terrible ordeal before expiring. Ifis body was recovered at 11.50 a.m , and for almost three hours he was able to call out to men who were engaged in an ondeavour to rescue him. “Can you get me out of this?’’ he called several times to workers who were with all speed attempting to reach him. “Is there any hope for . me?” were the last'words heard from him at 4 a.m. “Yes, we are coining—we will rescue you,” the men replied. Another fall of earth took place, covering Everett completely, and after that only gurgling sounds were heard. Everett was employed hy Griliter Bros., drainage contractors, and engaged in a new sewer for the Edendalo district. The tunnel in which he met hi.s death was parallel to the Eldon road, and Goring road, in some open paddocks. Everett relieved George Sage, who had been on the previous shift from four o’clock until midnight. He was assisted hy Betrand Segrave, a trucker. who was his shiflmato. About 1.30 a.m., an hour and a-lialf after the two men had begun their shift, Everett was placing side timber in position on the loft hand side of the drive, when without warning the face came away and completely covered him. Segravo, who was standing about a yard further back towards the tunnel mouth, was caught round the legs by the falling earth, but was able to extricate himself. FJverett called out to him and asked him whether he was all right. “Yes,” replied Segrave. “Can you get me out of this?” Everett then asked. Segrave tried to get Everett clear, but could not , and Went for assitauce. He got some neighbours and tlie contractor, ns well as other helpers from the town. They worked strenuously. Thomas ATcEwnn, foreman. took charge of the operations and by 4 a.m. they had almost cleared the fall to where Everett was trapped. They then heard him call: “Is there any hope of getting me out?” They replied" that there was, and | worked feverishly. Tt was then that I another fall of earth occurred. and j after that only gurgling sounds were heard. . The tunnel was only about 45ft in length, and the distance from the roof to the floor was approximately Bft The bottom nortion of the drive was composed of soft papa rock, and the too portion of clay. ‘ Tt is presumed that- there was a greasy back, or fault between the papa‘rock and tlio clay, and this gave way. causing tlie accident. Everett was a married man, with i five children.