BURIED ALIVE

Southland Times, Issue 20538, 14 July 1928, Page 7

BURIED ALIVE

A TERRIBLE ORDEAL MAN MEETS DEATH IN TUNNEL VOICE HEARD FOR THREE HOURS (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, July 13. Crushed beneath a fall of earth in a tunnel at Morningside at half past one this morning, William Everett, of Waima street, Grey Lynn, went through a terrible ordeal before expiring. His body was recovered at 11.50 a.m. For about three hours he was able to call out to the men who were engaged in an endeavour to rescue him. “Can you get me out of this?” he called several times to the workers who were with all speed attempting to reach him. “Is there any hope for me?” were the last words heard from him at 4 a.m. “Yes, we are coming, we will rescue you,” the men replied. Another fall of earth took place, covering Everett completely, and after that only gurgling sounds were heard. Everett was employed by Grinter Bros, drainage contractors, engaged on a new sewer for the Edendale district. The tunnel in which he met his death was parallel to Eldon Road and Goring Road in some open paddocks. Everett relieved George Sage, who had been on the previous shift from four o’clock till midnight. He was assisted by Bet rand Segrave, a trucker, who was his shiftmate. About 1.30 a.m., an hour and a-half after the two men had begun their shift, Everett was placing side timber in position on the left hand side of the drive when, without warning, the face came away and completely covered him. Segrave, who was standing about a yard further back towards the tunnel mouth, was caught round the legs by the falling earth, but was able to extricate himself. Everett called out to him and asked whether he was all right. “Yes,” replied Segrave. “Can you get me out of this?” Everett then asked. Segrave tried to get Everett clear, but could not and went for assistance. He got some neighbours and the contractor, as well as other helpers from the town. They worked strenuously. Thomas McEwan, foreman, took charge of the oj>erations and by 4 a.m. they had almost cleared the fall to where Everett was trapped. They then heard him call, “Is there any hope of getting me out?” They replied there was and worked feverishly. It was then that another fall of earth occurred and after that only gurgling sounds were heard. The tunnel was only about 45ft in length and the distance from roof to floor was approximately 8 feet. The bottom portion of the drive was composed of soft papa rock and the top portion of clay. It is presumed there was a greasy back or a fault between the papa rock and the clay and that this gave way causing the accident. Everett was married with four children.