MINING DISASTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 19

MINING DISASTER.

SEVENTY-SIX LIVES LOST. LONDON, August 19. As the result of an explosion 76 miners are entombed in the No. 1 Maypole colliery at Abram, near Wigan. The explosion destroyed the ventilating shaft and cage, blowing the timber and headgear in all directions — some portions a distance of 200ffc. Clouds of smoke are issuing from th-e ehaft, and there aye indications that some of the coal in the mine has fired, with great danger of the entombed m-en being ssuffocated. Repairs to the fanhouse are proceeding rapidly. A rescue party meanwhile descended the Wigan Junction colliery, half a mile ■diotant, and -vt-Kich communicates -<.vitlL the No. 2 Maypole, and penetrated 6everal hundred yards ±ow ards the wrecked workings. A 6 the rescuers approached -uheee the air was almost unbreathable. Heavy falls in the roof impeded, progress. Several dead ponies and then three dead miners were found. One of the bodies was terribly mutilated, and was unrecognisable. The explorers are unable to epeak with certainty as to the condition of the mine as regards after-damp, although five members of the party suffered therefrom. It was announced at 3 o'clock this morning that all hope of rescuing the men had been abandoned. August 19. There were many pathetic scenes at the Maypole colliery mouth, which is thronged with frenzied relatives Special life-saving apparatus gangs were sent from Howe Bridge and Altoft. Three of the entombed men escaped alive by walking through the Wigan Junction colliery after encountering many obstacles. There have been heavy falls from the TOOf. , So far 20 bodies have been recovered. August 20. The explorers report that mutilated limbs are scattered in all directions. Deadly vapours and the fa-ct that the fire is still burning interfered with the exploration party. The explorers were almost overcome last night, and they reeled on reaching the surface. A rush of smoke at midnight suspended operations. The disaster occurred while the shifts ■were changing, and of 600 who had been

below 524 had stopped work and ascended to the surface. The position of the corpses which weTe found yesterday indicated that the victims were making their way to the pit shaft, when overtaken by - the fire following the explosion Some had their arms across their faces. . One succumbed while in an attitude of prayer. The Maypole colliery was properly constructed and was fitted with all the latest appliances August 21. Twenty-eight bodies have now been recovered from the Maypole colliery. The revised death roll gives the number of victims as 76. The pit was flooded in order to extinguish the fire. The King sent a telegram of sympathy to the relatives of the victims in tbe Maypole colliery disaster. August 22. A Maypole relief fund has been opened at Wigan.