ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10661, 23 May 1895, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

EXPLOSION IN A MINE. [Special to Press Association.! NEW YORK, Mat 22, An immense quantity of gunpowder accidentally exploded, and wrecked the Monongahela mine in West Virginia. One hundred and thirty miners were entombed. Up to the present fourteen bodies have been recovered. The work of rescue is proceeding. SHIP ASHORE. ADELAIDE, Mat 22. The ship Indian Empire, bound from Cardiff to Port Pirie, is ashore at Shoalwater Point, Gulf of St Vincent. FPeb Press Association.! AUCKLAND. Mat 23. The small steamer Waitoa, trading to Wairoa South, struck on a rock at the entrance of the Tamaki River last night. The passengers were landed safely. The steamer was bound for Auckland. She was subsequently floated off. The Rev Father Downey died very suddenly at St Benedict’s Presbytery last evening, from heart disease. At about four o’clock he sat down to take his afternoon rest, and some time afterwards died in his chair before medical assistance could be.obtained. He had been in feeble health for some time. He was sixty-three years of age. He came to Auckland in 1879, and established the mission of; St Benedict’s.

AN EXCITING RESCUE. GISBORNE, Mat 22. A heavy gale has been raging during the last twenty-four hours, raising a high sea in the bay* During the night the schooners Awanui and Spray arrived from Westport and Mercury Bay respectively. The Awanui was able to make the river, bat the Spray got into a dangerous position near the beach, and in the afternoon drifted into the surf, the waves breaking clean over her. The rescue of the crew was very exciting. An attempt was made by those, on the vessel to float aline ashore, but it failed owing to the strong drawback, and then a young man named Frederick Lawndea 'bravely swam through the surf to the vessel, carrying a line. This was secured, but the crew did not venture to come through the surf by means of it, fearing for the captain, who is an old man and feeble. They launched a boat, and the captain and one sailor got into it and were safely hauled ashore. The boat then put out with three shore hands, and secured the remaining two sailors, but in returning capsized. The cook of the Spray, becoming entangled in the lines, was rolled under the boat several times, and was only rescued with great difficulty, being brought ashore insensible. The schooner lies snug enough, and it is expected will be got off safely. Both vessel and cargo were uninsured. She is locally owned. Mr J, C. Burbery, tinsmith, Eaiapoi, had a narrow escape from a serious accident on Saturday. It appears that Mr Burbery and a young son were on their way to Cheviot with a waggon-load of tinware, &c., and when approaching Greta Creak the horse shied and began to back. Ultimately the van went over a bank, taking the horse with it. The occupants, seeing the danger, jumped out of the waggon and escaped injury, but the horse was very much hurt and will probably have to be destroyed. The waggon was com. pletely smashed.