MINERS' FATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 10

MINERS' FATE

TWO ENTOMBED ONE BODY FOUND EFFORTS OF RESCUERS COLLAPSE OF TUNNEL [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WESTPORT, Tuesday Two men lost their lives when a fall of debris occurred to-day in an old dip in the Westport Coal Company's Millerton mine which was being prepared for the resumption of working. One man escaped with slight injuries, and another was suffering from shock when released after some hours' work. The victims were: — Mr. Joseph Hopkinson, aged 60, married, with an adult family of six, deputy in charge, of Granity. Mr. Robert Brownlie, aged 60, married, with an adult family of two, shiftman, of Granity.

Relations and friends waited anxiously while willing parties of miners and truckers toiled valiantly to rescue the three men who had been trapped.

It was only after four and a-half hours' laborious work in the tunnel, 40 yards from the mouth, that Mr. John Blake, single, of Millerton, was reached. It was necessary to make a hole about 10ft. through a tremendous heap of clay and rocks which had fallen almost without any warning. Mr. Blake miraculously escaped with minor abrasions and shock. He said that when the roof of the tunnel collapsed some of the woodwork wedged him into a sort of shelter at the side, from which he could not escape, even when he realised that Mr. Hopkinson and Mr. Brownlie must have been less fortunate, and accordingly he could do nothing to help them. He could hear groans and breathing coming from under the debris for a short time, but later they ceased. One Body Recovered

When the rescuers reached Mr. Blake they could see the lower part of a body partly showing under some of the debris. At a late hour to-night tho body of Mr. Brownlie was recovered. Miners are working in relays of four hours to try to reach the body of Mr. Hopkinson. Mr. Brownlie and Mr. Hopkinson were miners of the old school, having worked at Millerton for many years, but Mr. Blake has only been employed by the company for a very short time. Mr. Brownlie was well known in the Buller district for his interest in first aid work.

OTAGO FATALITY GOLD MINER KILLED STRUCK BY FALLING BANK WORKING CLAIM AT KYEBURN [by TETjEGKAPH—press \ssociation] DTJNEDIN, Tuesday While working on a gold mining claim at the Kycburn diggings, about 10 miles from Nasebv, this afternoon, Air. Percy Brown, aged 54, received injuries which later resulted in his death. Mr. Brown was working on a claim beneath a bank about 20ft. high, part of which became dislodged and fell on him. Pinned down by the fall, the injured man was dragged clear by his cousin, Mr. John Brown, who works with him. Dr. Eudey, of Ranfurly, arrived about two hours later, but the injured man was then dead. Mr. Brown was a married man with an adult family of four.