HEROIC RESCUE WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 13

HEROIC RESCUE WORK.

DOCTOR IN A MINE*

CRAWLING ALONG THE DEBRIS.

Dr. Michael Ryan, a Crumlin doctor, performed heroic rescue work underground at the Navigation Colliery, Crumlin, a few weeks ago, when a fall of roof buried three m<;n. Joseph Walter, aged 48, a married man, with four children, was dead when rescued, but Harry Clarke, deputy under-manager, and Ivor Smith were released after four hours' work. The < main passage where tho fall occurred in the Meadow Vein district was blocked over an area of 200 square feet. 1

Dr. Rvan crawled along tbo debris, tending the injured as miners released their limbs from masses of stone. He had to force his head and shoulders into an aperturei and thus administer brandy to Smith, who was pinned by the arms, legs and chest. Miners worked stripped to the waist and only untiringHoil Baved Clarke and Smith. George Beva'&Jor two hours held a heavy plank over Clfirko to eaw the weight and prevent lqose stone overwhelming him. The fall was caused by the snapping of a heavy steel girder.