COLERIDGE DISASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19144, 9 October 1925, Page 10

COLERIDGE DISASTER.

SEARCH FOR THE BODIES. RECOVERY PROBLEMATICAL. FURTHER FALLS OCCURRING, [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHKI&TCHUECH, Thursday. There is a possibility that the attempts to recover the bodies of McDonald, Green and McFarlane from the Lake Coleridge tunnel may have to be abandoned owing to very grave danger attending the work. The crosscut to the place where McDonald's body is believed to be reached the main tunnel, at three o'clock this morning, but cannot be continued owing to further falls occurring in the tunnel. As soon as air from tho drive got through to the loose shingle a rumbling noise commenced, and fresh falls started. , The men abandoned the drive and Started on the crosscut to where Green's body is believed to be. A short distance in a huge boulder was met, with and held up the work. The men are willing to carry on in spite of the grave risk, but it is possible that the attempt may be given up rather than risk losing further lives. Portion of the No. 6 pipe tunnel collapsed this morning and four men working there had a narrow escape. Mr. F. Langbein, engineer in charge of the Public Works Department, stated this afternoon that he did cot have any definite information on the subject, but he expressed the view that it was problematical whether it would be possible to recover the bodies of the entombed men. OFFICIAL INQUIRY. STATEMENT BY MR. COATES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHUJRCH, Thursday. A departmental inquiry into the accident at, Coleridge will be held as soon as the Public Works Department has had an opportunity of examining the official reports. The Prime Minister expressed the opinion this morning that a public inquiry would not be necessary. The collapse in the tunnel seemed to have been one cf those accidents that could not be foreseen or prevented. There seemed to be no doubt that, the timbering was adequate,