EXPLOSION OF GELIGNITE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13702, 19 March 1908, Page 5

EXPLOSION OF GELIGNITE.

ACCIDENT AT WAIORONGOMAI

TWO MINERS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

[l)Y TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wa i i, Wednesday. Two miners, William S. Young and Alfred Hawes, employed at Hardy's Mines, Waiorongomai, were admitted to the Waihi District Hospital this morning, suffering from serious injuries caused by an explosion of gelignite whilst they were in the act of firing several holes in the face of the level drive, about four o'clock yesterday afternoon. In all, 13 holes were charged, and after firing one of the number the men returned to fire the remaining 12. While Young was spitting the fuses a plug of gelignite fell oft' the fuse in one of the back holes, and although other of the charges had been fired he waited to replace the explosive. Hawes, who by this time was some few feet back in the drive making hie way out, noticed his comrade's danger and called out to him to get clear, but it was already too late, -as Young had no sooner turned to leave than an explosion occurred. Both men were knocked down by the flying stones, and Hawes, who was struck on the head, managed to scramble clear of danger from the remaining shots, but his male was less fortunate, one of his legs being broken when the first of the 12 shots went off. Young lay whore he fell and sustained further injuries from the material thrown out by the shots which followed. When the explosions were over Hawes made his way buck to the face, and when with the assistance of others the debris was cleared away it was found that Young still breathed. Mr. Dan. Twohey, who is foreman on the contract, held by Messrs. McLean Bros, (of Auckland and Wellington), fo* extending the drive, and party, rigged up impromptu stretchers and carried the injured men down the bush track, a matter of some three miles, on to Te Aroha, where they were medically attended «to at Dr. Kenny's surgery, and remained overnight. This morning they were brought on by rail to Waihi. Both are young men, between 23 and 24 years of age, and natives of Australia. Young lias an arm and a leg broken, a gash over the eye, and several cuts on the back, and Hawes is suffering from fracture of the skull and minor injuries.