MINER'S FATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22388, 7 April 1936, Page 10

MINER'S FATE

SUDDEN FALL OF KOCK INSTANTANEOUS DEATH WORK ON SCHEELITE FACE COMPANION'S LUCKY ESCAPE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] INVERCARGILL, Monday A scheelite miner, Mr. John William Jonas Clingin, a married man, aged 34 years, lost his life near Glenorchy, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, on Saturday afternoon when a large quantity of rock fell on him. He was working with Mr. William Ernest Tyree in an open shaft picking scheelite. Mr. Tyre<s walked over to his coat to see the time. He was about 12ft. away and called to Mr. Clingin that it was "twenty past four" —only ten minutes until knocking off time—and was juso walking back when suddenly a fall of rock weighing about a ton * crashed down on top of Mr. Clingin, who was killed instantly. Mr. Tyree was unable to extricate him and gave the alarm, assistance being rendered by several residents. The body was conveyed to the Earnslaw Hotel. The police at Queenstown were « notified, and at 8 o'clock on Sunday morning Dr. W. A. Anderson and Con. stable W. Roycroft left for Glenorchy by launch. A port-mortem examination was conducted by the doctor, and an inquest was opened before the district coroner, Mr. Donald Sutherland, It was adjourned until April 24. Mr. Clingin, who is survived by. hi* widow and three small children, wai well known in the district.