FATALITY IN MINE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18263, 5 December 1933, Page 9

FATALITY IN MINE

DECEASED RESPONSIBLE LIGHTING- A CIGARETTE (Per Press Association.) GREY-MOUTH, this day. An inquest was held to-day concerning tho death of Francis MoQuaid in tho Paparoa mine on November 27, when a gas explosion occurred. Evidence was given that the explosion originated in McQuuid’s working place. A tin containing tobacco was found in his coat pocket and a box containing live matches was on the ground, and also a portion of a cigarette and a spent match. The coroner, Mr. W. Meldrum, S.M., returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death at Raparoa mine on November 27 from severe burns, shock, and suffocation, caused by an explosion of gas in the mine. The evidence showed that a deputy inspected the place at 7.10 a.in., and found no sign of gas present, that the escape of gas had subsequently taken place from a cavity between the coal roof and the stone above, fed through a crack caused bv the sinking of the coal roof, and further shows that tho explosion started in the place where the deceased was working, and was caused by tho deceased striking a match to light a cigarette.