Mine Probe; Rescue Attempt

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1939, Page 6

Mine Probe; Rescue Attempt

f Special to “Northern Advocate ”] HUNTLY, This Day.

William Brown, under-manager of the Glen Afton Mine, who was one of the victims in the Glen Afton tragedy, was alive when the first rescue party reached him. This opinion was expressed by James Mitchell, a deputy foreman, employed at the MacDonald Mine at the time, and now employed in the Glen Afton Mine, in giving evidence before the Royal Commission today. Mitchell said he was one of the first of the rescue 1 party, and at F section the air was not good, leading him to assume that there was a fire in the mine, and that a fall was blocking the return, though he saw no smoke then.

“He’s Alive.”

Passing F section he saw a light and went ahead and saw Brown lying with his back against the wall in a half-sit-ting position. Mitchell said he shouted to the others: “Brown’s here!” And then “He’s alive!” <( “I felt his heart, and it was beating, ’ said Mitchell. “I am definitely sure he was alive.” Mitchell then grabbed Brown, assisted by Jim Graham. Overcome. He added that he was then overcome and remembered nothing until he came to in E section, after being rescued by his mates. The time would be after 2 o’clock. • To the chairman he said he could not imagine Wilcox or the other men going into the mine without The fan working, nor had he formed any opinion that the Glen Afton fan was not working. Mitchell had not formed ah opinion regarding the density of the gas where Brown was found.

Barograph Readings. Details of barograph readings disclosing atmospheric pressure or stoppages of the fan ventilating the Glen Afton Mine were given by Andrew Muir Shearer, whose duty it is to change the barograph charts every day except Sunday. The charts were produced and the system explained. (Earlier Evidence on Page 2).