EXPLOSION IN MINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22122, 28 November 1933, Page 9

EXPLOSION IN MINE

TRAGEDY AT PAPARQA ONE MAN KILLED TWO OTHERS INJURED (Per United Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, November 27.: One mile from the surface of the earth in one of New Zealand’s most isolated collieries 20 men had their, lives endangered by an explosion just after work had been started this morning. The explosion, which is the first to occur on the West Coast for eome years, took place in the Paparoa mine, and resulted in the death of one man and injuries to two others. .

KILLED. •• FRANK M'QUAID, single, aged about 40 years, a native of Ireland.

INJURED.

PHILIP MARTIN, married, aged about 50 years, fractured leg, cuts on head, and burns. WILLIAM WALKER, single, aged about 35 years, severe burns on head and arms. . t , The cause of the explosion is a mystery. Both Walker and M'Quaid worked on the face, while Martin was driving the horse used for hauling trucks. Walker was exceptionally lucky in that at the time of the explosion he had walked away from the face to obtain some timber. The force of the explosion is shown by the fact that it overturned trucks, threw timber about, and caused minor falls of coal. Most of the 20 men actually in the mine were thrown from their feet and the general opinion is that they were very fortunate to escape. Two youths named Martin and Climo, who were in the mine at the time of the explosion, said they had a terrifying experience. Timber came flying up from everywhere and trucks all along, the line were overturned. Both had been thrown to the ground by thei force of the explosion and stated that they considered themselves ,and the others working in the mine very lucky to escape the fate that befell M'Quaid. They said it had been an exceptionally ' arduous task to recover the body of M'Quaid and bring Martin to the surface and down the rough, steep bush track. In their opinion M'Quaid had been between two and three chains from the actual seat of the explosion, which seemed to be in the roof of the mine not far from where Martin was working. It was probable that a rush -of ignited gas struck the face on which M'Quaid was working and rebounded on him. The shock probably caused: him concussion, although he was also grievously burnt. The horse in the mine marvellously escaped injury, but was blackened .by coal dust and received minor cuts.

Dust and afterdamp followed the explosion and for some time prevented the rescuers from bringing out the body of M'Quaid, which was very badly burnt. It was brought out two hours axter the explosion. The mine was examined by a deputy this morning. It is understood that the mine: contained Methane gas (carburetted hydrogen), and it is thought that this may have accumulated in a pocket in .the ceiling while the mine was idle over the week-end. The. men do not carry naked lights, being equipped with electric safety lamps. It is obvious that something must have ignited the gas. Sparks from a pick or from the wheels of the trucks were suggested in some quarters as a possible explanation. Martin, who was suffering much pain, was conveyed to' the township of Roa, where he was met by an ambulance, and rushed to the hospital at Greymouth, where Walker was also admitted.

The Paparoa mine is situated 20 miles from Greymouth, high up in the Paparoa Range of mountains. It was opened in 1908 and Is now worked under the contract system. The present output of the mine, which produces an excellent bitumenous coal, is much below that of previous years. The bins have a capacity of 4000 tons and are the largest on the Coast. Those in charge of the mine* were reticent regarding • the accident, concerning which an inquest and inquiry will be held on Friday.