Mishap in Kiripaka Mine.

Northern Advocate, 25 June 1910, Page 5

Mishap in Kiripaka Mine.

WORKMAN INJURED BY

EXPLOSION

A mining accident' of a serious nature occurred at the Northern Coal Company's mine at Kiripaka yesterday. A number of miners engaged- in blasting made preparations for firing several shots, as is frequently done, in quick succession. Having lighted the fuse in each case the men retired to a place of safety. Shortly afterwards the expected reports were heard, and -after waiting for some time for the atmosphere to clear the

men returned to see the result of the shots and to- continue their work, one of the-jr number, Harry Wetherall, being considerably in advance of the others. As soon as Wetherall reached the scene of the blasting operations an unexpected -explosion took place, and from the displaced rock flyinig in all directions ifchere was no escape. A piece of node struck Wetherall over 'the eye rendering him unconscious, and, it is believed, endangering Ms life. He was taken with all expedition to the Whangarei Hospital where he now lies in a critical condition. It seems that the men were quite blameless in returning to -their work before ' the last explosion occurred. They were apparently deceived by the reports, and were under the impression that the whole of the shots had exploded, whereas one which was believed to have gone off simultaneously with another had hung, fire. Wetherall has a wife and family, and is about 40 years of nge.