FATALITY IN MINE

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume XV, 23 August 1929, Page 2

FATALITY IN MINE

GREAT BRAVERY DISPLAYED. ? CORONER COMMENDS TRUCKER. t The inquest concerning the death » of a miner, Samuel Broadbent, who » was killed by a fall of coal at Roto- - waro on July 26 was concluded, on Wednesday last before Mr. E. J. Earrell, J.P., and a jury. Mr. F. L. G. West, Auckland, ap- . peared for the Taupiri Coal Company, Mr. William Barclay (inspector) for j the Mines Department, and Mr. R. L. Roberts, on behalf of the Rotowaro Miners’ Union. j Joseph O’Brien, deceased’s mate, stated that they were working on the back shift, and shortly after 8 p.m. I a small fall of coal occurred. He called to Broadbent, asking him if he ‘.vas all right. Broadbent said, ‘T am all right, hut I am caught by the leg.” . He was released from that position, : and another fall occurred, which bur- > led witness, and also injured William Horn Henderson, a trucker, who went co his assistance. In spite of his injuries the trucker endeavoured to free witness, and while he was doing so, another fall enveloped Broadbent. The men were engaged in extract- ’ ing pillar coal. The spot was well ' timbered, and had been inspected twice that evening before the mishap. W. H. Henderson’s statement was a corroboration of O’Brien’s, and he added that while endeavouring to re!ease O’Brien he could hear Broadbent humming a tune, but not after -he final fall of coal. After getting O’Brien out he hastened for assistance to the underviewer. Samuel Pendelton said that both miners were experienced and first•lass men. He arranged for prompt assistance to recover Broadbent, who was ultimately found buried under three feet of coal. In reply to a question, witness said le did not think that Broadbent’s life would have been saved had Henderson gone to his assistance after releasing O’Brien. The former did the best thing possible, especially as he, Henderson, was injured himself. The telephone was 200yds. from the scene >f the fatality, anil there was no one at the surface end. and there would not be anyone available for rescue work from that place in the event of i mishap. I))-. R. C. Macdiarmid, who examined Broadbent after he was brought out of the mine, stated there were no bones broken. Artificial respiration was tried for 20 minutes, but without success. Death was due to asphyxiation.

The jury found that 1 * Broadbent met his death accidentally.” They added that they were of the opinion that when miners are extracting pillar coal in isolated places, the shiftmen should be employed near at hand in case of accident. The jury also expressed sympathy with the widow and brother. The coroner drew attention to the bravery ot Henderson, who at great risk saved O’Brien’s life, though injured himself. The foreman, Mr. E. George, said the jury concurred in this remark.