HORRIBLE DEATH IN A QUICKSAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

HORRIBLE DEATH IN A QUICKSAND.

An* extraordinary accident occurred lately at Woodsido, Long Island, New York, when a man eng'cro'" in clearing a drain pipe driven but . feet below the surface was caught by quicksand, and, despite the utmost efforts of a largo number of workers, perished after a struggle of live hours and a half. Strange to say, amongst them were apparently just tho men, next to miners, to use the most efficient means of rescue. They had amongst them a building contractor, carpenters, doctor, anil many artisans and labr jrers, and, according to reports received, worked without confusion. At first it was attempted to dig tho man out, but the space was too limited to work effectually in. Then a strong rope was passed about him, a purchase rigged, and simultaneously with the digging, it was attempted to haul him out; but tho strain was too great to be borne, and he begged them to desist. Then the rope was mado fast with a less strain in the hope that lie could be held until rescued, but it had to be slowly slackened from time to time. Meanwhile a rubber tube had been passed to him that he might breathe when completely engulphed. At this time his head only was above the surface, but his hands were free. A gang of men began excavating a pit near by, in order to draw off the quicksand and reach him from below. He sank slowly, inch by inch, and lived for an hour after being entirely submerged, except one hand, still breathing through tho tube. An hour after he died the body was cleared from below, and was then drawn out.