MAN BURIED ALIVE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 21 March 1939, Page 5

MAN BURIED ALIVE

ROCK FALL IN QUARRY TWO OTHERS INJURED CLIFF FACE SUBSIDES (Per Press Association.) TIMARU, this day. One man was buried alive and two others injured, one seriously, when, without warning, several thousand tons of irook land debris fell in a quarry at .the Cave lime works, 20 miles from Timaru, yesterday morning. The victims were: — Killed Eric Woods, married, who resided at Cave. Injured James Gunn McVey, severe internal ■injuries. Marcus McVey, a brother, a dislocated shoulder and head injuries. Mr Marcus McVey was working at the top of a cliff face 100 ft. high. When the face gave way .he gripped at the 'safety rope, but missed and fell on top of the falling rock. Mr. Woods, who was buried, was working a few fecit up from the bottom of the cliff and was trapped 'without hope of escape. Mr. James McVey, who was working on a tractor scoop at the foot of the cliff, and tine tractor were hurled 20 yardis across the flat and down, a bank. Mr. McVey retained his seat till the tractor came to rest at the bottom of the Ibank, When he was thrown a further 15ft. amongst some willows. When found he had a large limestone rock across his groin. The fourth man in the quarry, Alfred Kerr, escaped uninjured.