DISASTER IN MINE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 45, 22 January 1926, Page 7

DISASTER IN MINE.

EXPLOSION IN TUNNEL. MEN CAUGHT UNAWARES. SYDNEY, Jan. 21. An explosion occurred in the Redhead colliery, near Belmont, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle district, when one man was killed and eleven injured. The explosion occurred about a mile from tho surface, in a tunnel line. It caught the men unawares, and was followed by fire, but later tliat was soon extinguished, though not before tho miners were badly burned. One of the survivors described their experiences when the explosion occurred as being thrown abou. like corks. He believed tlie explosion was followed by a fall of coal. Tlio first indication at the pithead of the disaster was a telephone message: “Come down quickly; there has been an unusual burst of air.” By the timo assistance from tho surface came, the scat of the explosion had been located and rescuers wero getting to work. They found William Riley killed and eleven others badly injured, all suffering from burns. Riley was found lying in ono of the old workings, some distance from the other men. "When the news of tho explosion was conveyed to the mine office the mine manager, Mr Fallons, pluckily descended the mine to search for tho injured.—Press Association. NAKED LIGHT THE CAUSE. CONTACT WITH POCKET OF GAS. Received January 22, 10.55 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 22. The explosion at tho Redhead colliery is attributed to a naked light coming in contact with a pocket of gas. When the flare occurred there was no loud report. None of tho injured suffered concussion. Tho colliery has always been regarded as a safe mine, naked lights being used freely. This is the first accident of tho kind in this colliery, which has been operating for 40 years. None of those injured is in a critical condition, though tho injuries of two aro serious.—Press Association.