HAMPSTEAD COLLIERY DISASTER,

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 29

HAMPSTEAD COLLIERY DISASTER,

♦ LONDON, March 12. The bodies of the men who were entombed in the Hampstead mine have been recovered. Th© men lay with their faces on the ground, and there is evidence that they died peacefully. There are no signs of struggling. March 13. Tha bodies of six miners have been recovered from the Hampstead miiTfe. They lay in a peaceful attitude. Near the door of the mine the following words had been chalked upon the board : — "The Lord preserve us." Then followed the names of the men, after which was added, " All are trusting in Christ." The upsetting of candles set fire to the timbering in the Hampstead colliery (Birmingham). Nine men traversed the flames and escaped, but 21 had to return to the workings. A rat was lowered to test the atmosphere, and was brought up alive. Later two other men were rescued in a semi-consoious state. On recovering, they stated that they had shut the doors and prevented the smoke from reaching their "coim-ades. Repeated heroic efforts to rescue the entombed miners failed. Welsby, who was one of the Barnsley rescuers, was provided with a breathing apparatus, and went into the mine, but collapsed and died owing to the oxygen becomingexhausted.