LANDSLIDE IN VICTORIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20322, 2 February 1928, Page 9

LANDSLIDE IN VICTORIA

MEN ENTOMBED IN TUNNEL. ONE DEAJTH REPORTED. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright) ADELAIDE, February 1. While a number of men were working upon the duplication of the Hills Railway a landslide occurred, and a gang of men were entombed in a tunnel which was being demolished. One man was killed and six others entombed. It is known that at least four of these are alive. One man was rescued. He was severely injured. The work of clearing away the debris was begun immediately, gangs working throughout the night by means of flares. Several hours must elapse before the men are freed, because from 15ft to 20ft of earth must be removed to reach them. Slow work is necessary in order to prevent the possibility of again burying them. The man who was killed is C. Wilkinson, of Unley. The landslide is attributed to, a soapy joint in the clay. The earth fell upon the unprotected walls of the tunnel, the top of which had been taken off for more than half of its length. Traffic between Melbourne and Adelaide is interrupted. SIX BODIES UNEARTHED. DIFFICULTIES OF RESCUERS. ADELAIDE, February 1. (Received Feb. 1, at 9.30 p.m.) The scene of the Hills tragedy, where six men were killed is a short tunnel between Belair and Blackwood, 13 miles from Adelaide. The work is being done to permit duplication of the line. Working in heavy rain, thunder and lightning, the gangs fought desperately throughout the night to release the entombed men. The weight of the falling earth forced one side of the tunnel slightly inward, and when the express from Melbourne passed through to-day the cars were only just able to clear the opening. While the rescuers Worked their efforts frequently caused small landslides, and the men were forced to leap aside to escape falling boulders. The first two entombed men were extricated with comparative ease, as they had been imprisoned on the fringe of the debris and were able to crawl out with a little assistance. After many hours of strenuous efforts the bodies of the dead and the other living wdre dug out. The list of the dead is:—C. Walkinson (Unley), W. Kilmartin (North Adelaide), Paul (Port Adelaide), Charles Smith (Adelaide), Jerry Costello (Adelaide), R. Lafferty (Coromandel Valley). The last-named was alive when extricated, but he died in hospital. The injured men are only slightly hurt. When discovered, Kilmartin and Costello were clasped , together.