TRAGIC ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 252, 19 September 1930, Page 6

TRAGIC ACCIDENT.

LIVES LOST IN MINE. MANAGER AND WORKER. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Sept. 18. The Bruce Railway and Coal Com* pany’s coal mine at Waronui, South Otago, was tlie scene of a tragic accident to-day. The mine manager (James Carruthers) and a miner (Joseph Morris) lost their lives. Messrs Carruthers and Morris went down ail air shaft connected with a new drive -which is being put in at the mine and a fall of coal in the shaft caused the men to be entombed. Robert McDonald, a miner, went down the shaft on a_ rope to render assistance, but he was overcome by strong gas fumes and -was brought to tire surface black in the face. Gas masks were sent for from Milton, and after some difficulty these were obtained and sent to the mine by motor, but it was decided that the risk of sending men, even equipped with masks, down the shaft was too- great. A party of miners left the Kaitangata mine as soon as word of the accident reached them, .bringing with them equipment for working in the gas-laden portions of the mines. Mr McDonald was taken to hospital at Milton, suffering from gas poisoning. After strenuous and heroic rescue work under most dangerous - conditions, the bodies of both men were recovered at about five o’clock and taken to Milton. Mr Carruthers w'as about 40 years of age,, and was married, with a family of three children. He was a returned soldier, having served in the Rifle Brigade and Tunnelling Corps. He liad held the position of mine managed for over ten years. Mr Morris was also married. He had been employed at the mine for a considerable period. This is the first fatal accident that has occurred at the mine since it was opened - 20 years ago. ’ ; The inquest will be opened at Milton at noon to-morrow.