COAL MINE TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 35

COAL MINE TRAGEDY.

TWO MEN ENTOMBED.

SUFFOCATED BY GAS FUMES. MILTON, September 18. An accident, which was attended by fatal consequences, occurred about noon to-day at the Bruce Railway and Coal Company’s coal mine at Waronui, about eight miles from Milton.

Although connected by the company’s private railway line and road, the Waronui mine is situated in a somewhat isolated district, and the majority of the miners reside in Milton.

Details are somewhat meagre, but it is understood from telephonic inquiries that the mine manager (James Carruthers) and a miner named Joseph Morris descended an air shaft connected with a new drive which is being put into the mine. A fall of coal occurred in the shaft and trapped the unfortunate men.

Another miner named Robert M‘Donald descended the shaft on a rope to render assistance, but was overcome by the fumes of coal gas, and was black in the face and almost unconscious when drawn up by his fellow-workers. Telephone messages were sent to Milton for gas masks, which were procured only after some delay. The masks were rushed by motor to the mine, but the danger of using them in the mine on rescue operations was considered too great.

Appliances for working in gas-laden portions of mines were also rushed from the Kaitangata coal mine, with a party of miners intent on doing their utmost. M Donald was brought to Milton suffering from the effects of gas poisoning, and was admitted to hospital. After strenuous and heroic efforts at rescue work, under extremely dangerous conditions, the bodies of Carruthers and Morris were recovered about 5 p.m., and were brought to Milton.

THE TRAGEDY EXPLAINED. Further news received from the scene of the tragedy states that Carruthers and Morris resumed work after the lunch hour at driving a new air shaft into the mine workings, the former air shaft having been blocked by a fall of earth. The new shaft had been completed for a distance of slightly more than 30 feet, at which point there were two sharp dips to the roof of the mine. On knocking off the planking of the mine roof there must have been a sudden rush of carbon dioxide gas, by which they were overcome. They signalled for assistance to two miners, Henreich Hansen and Robert Boyd, who were working on the surface. Hansen rushed into the drive, but was immediately driven back by the fumes. Boyd attempted a rescue, but was also driven back.

Hansen then rushed away for assistance to another part of the mine some distance away. M'Donald came with a rope and, with this attached to his body, proceeded into the drive, but he was overcome by the fumes and was pulled out by Hansen and Boyd in a semi-conscious condition. After receiving medical attention, he was removed during the afternoon to the hospital at Milton. He was reported to be progressing favourably last night. No appliances were available at the mine for such an emergency, although gas masks were procured from ex-service men in Milton. These proved useless for rescue purposes, and nothing could .be done until the arrival of a party from the Kaitangata mine, equipped with the proper appliances. This party consisted of William Carson (mine manager), Frederick Carson, and George Duggan (inspector of mines for Otago). Mr Duggan happened to be visiting Kaitangata when the news of the tragedy came to hand.