LIFE FOR A MATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21449, 24 March 1933, Page 6

LIFE FOR A MATE

BRAVERY COMMENDED

COURAGEOUS MINERS

DESCENT INTO FOUL AIR

S'Too much credit cannot be given to IFack Silvey and William Sandford in risking their lives to try to save the lives of the other men. They showed themselves to bo very brave men." This tribute was paid by the coroner, Mr. P- H. V. Elliget-, at Ballarat, Victoria, lately, in recording a verdict with a jury of seven at the inquest upon the victims of the Buninyong mining fatality—Alfred Berger, aged 68 years, and Arthur Dunetan, aged 34 years, on February 14, A story of unavailing attempts at rescue ■was told- by William Sargeant, who was a partner with William Drummond and the two dead men in the venture known as the Locomotive extended mine. Ho stated that Dunstan was engaged in installing an air pipe in the 66ft. shaft when he was overcome by the foul air and fell heavily down the shaft. After a conversation with Sargeant regarding Dunstan's injuries, Berger, who was also in the shaft, told Sargeant to go for assistance. Sargeant ran to the home of Jack Silvey, a miner, who lived about a mile and ahalf away. Silvey said that when he was first lowered Dunstan appeared to be dead. He attempted to tie a rope around Berger's body, but he felt himself being overcome. He did not remember any more nntil he revived on top. He made a second attempt to descend to the men, but he became sick, and had himself hauled a few feet up the shaft to recover. He then went below again and did not remember being hauled up or giving any signals. / Two days before the mishap Berger had spoken of the bad air. William Robert Sandford related how, with the assistance of Constable McMillan, he was lowered into the shaft with towels soaked in vinegar wrapped around his face. The light he carried went out before he had reached the bottom of the shaft, but in the darkness he attached Berger's body to the rope and they were hauled to the surface. After recovering he descended the shaft again about 15 minutes later and recovered the body of Dunstan. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony and added that Berger had met his death in going to the assistance of his mate. The greatest praise was due to Jack Silvey and William Sandford for their gallant attempts to save the two men.