MINING FATALITY.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12424, 14 December 1908, Page 3

MINING FATALITY.

[United Pbees Association.] Dunedin, Dec. 11. An accident occurred at the Head of Lake Wakatipu, resulting in the death of Mr Percy Valpy. The deceased and one of his brothers were at work in their sluicing claim at Precipice Creek. some three inilesup from'Glenorchy, making preparations for what is known as " washing up. " Between 9 and 10 o'clock in the morning without aDy warning whatever, a tremendous slip occurred r?ear:the mouth' of the tunnel. Mr Percy Valpy was tigbh >n the passage of the slip, and in attempting to. v get clear he was partly obstructed by a fdrK; which/ he bad in his -hands, and he fell with bis cbest against a horizontal bar near the exit of tbe tunnel. Tnei water, with accompanying debris, rushed over him, and 1 - his feet became wedged between' two rocks, so that bis escape. was rendered impossible.. His brotner managed to turn off the water, and then endeavoured to extricate ~bim, but without success. Additional help was sent for, but bßfore toe baud of rescuers got Him free, life was extinct. Oecnased was about thirty-seven yaais of age, and was married, but had no. children.