GREATEST HEROISM SHOWN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11253, 4 July 1922, Page 5

GREATEST HEROISM SHOWN

RESCUE PARTY CO TO DEATH NOXIOUS GASES IN THE TUNNEL. HOW . THE BODIES WERE FOUND. FEB PEESS ASSOCIATION. LEVIN, July 3. The scene of the Mangahao disaster it in the Arapeti Valley lying beyond the first range of hills from Shannon. The road climbs one thousand feet up a spur of the Taraiuas, then descends to the basin that will form a huge storage lake for the hydro-electric enterprise. No. 1 tunnel is to bring the waters of the Mangahao under the Mangahao hills into the lake, and No. 2 tunnel will then take the watei through the coastal range to the generating station on the Shannon side. The tragedy occurred in this tunnel, which is being constructed by co-operative contractors. The details show that on Sunday evening only one man was on shift in No. 2 tunnel. He was the pump attendant, B. Butler, it being necessary to keep the pump working to clear the tunnel of water and from it making its way through the workings. During the evening the tunnel foreman, A. E. Maxwell, went np to the face apparently to see that everything was all right for the shift coming on at midnight. BREAKDOWN AT POWER STATION. A breakdown at the power station an the Shannon side threw the eleotrio fans in the Arapeti tunnel out of gear and the fumes from the oil engine, working the pumps, accumulated in the workings and created deadly carbon monoxide and dioxide gases. The pumping engine is situated twenty-seven chains from the and the presence of the fatal gas must have been detected by both Maxwell and Butler, whose bodies were! subsequently found four chains to-l wards the tunnel mouth. The men on duty at the sub-station at Arapeti camp became uneasy at the prolonged absence of their two comrades and three of them, P. and F. Graham and W. Birss. went down to see what was wrong. FIRST ATTEMPT AT RESCUE FAILS. They went in twenty chains, but could get no further owing to the presence of gaa. There was also a large quantity or water in the tunnel floor They donned gum boots and essayed again to penetrate further. At this stage the little party of three were joined by W. R. Miller, the en. gineer-in-charge at Arapeti, and F. Birss, tunneller. The five men then entered on what proved to be a latal quest, for not a man returned alive. They struggled on for nearly twenty chains, where they were found later by a rescuing party and being still about three chains away from Maxwell an<t Butler, whose bodies were recovered later. The first news of the tragedy was made known by C. Trigg, who was also ou duty at the sub-station. Aa soon as he was relieved, about midnight, ho made his way to the tunnel and seeing no sign of his mates entered the tunnel mouth. A SINGLE-HANDED EFFORT. He fought his way in until he reached the first four of his comrades who were lying in the tunnel. He found he oould do nothing for them and only struggled out himself to fresh air with the greatest difficulty. After recovering he gave the alarm. The dread news of what had occurred spread like wildfire through the cainp and soon men were working from all Bntries to assist in the rescue. The fumes weie now very dense, and it was advised that only, the most experienced men were to be permitted to undertake the rescue of the bodie3. NO LACK OF VOLUNTEERS. There was no lack of volunteers, however, and offers of workers came from all sides. Tho first body to be discovered was that of F. Birss. A. chain further the rescuers found W. Miller, Birss, junior, and F. Graham. The rescuers got Miller’s body partly on to a truck, when they got the tumes. J. Quinlan, one of the rescue party, was overcome and staggered out, whilst T. O'Halloran collapsed for a time and was got out by J. Sinclair. BRAVE MEN COLLAPSE. Another party was got together and they succeeded in getting the bodies, of Meaars Miller, Birss, junior, and F Graham on the truck and rushed theiri out, picking up Kinzett, one of the first rescuer’s party on the way. lie had collapsed when apparently attemptng another entry. Trigg, another •escuer, was also found incapacitated tnd was carried out of the tunnel Both Kinzett and Trigg were found •o (be in a bad way after their heroic xertions and had to be removed f„r ,edical attention. At 1.45 am. the cotrie fan vas restarted, and at 2.10 m. the third party started in. They •nt out tho r..rn; l i n jn i 3, bodice that

of P. Graham being recovered first .and then those of Maxwell and But!kr. ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION FAILS. The two latfer were found togtther, the greatest distance in the tunnel. Tho rcsca;.-s, as tho fatal fumes were now being drawn out, were able to follow each other in safety as tho tunnel cleared. The only man who to show signs of life after *the rescue was F. Birss, but although artificial respiration was tried for an hour and a half on all the unfortunate men it was unsuccessful, and the tragic fact that the disaster had claimed all seven victims forced itself upon the unhappy assemblage.