TRAGEDY IN A MANHOLE
WORKMEN CHOKED BY GAS SIX RESCUERS OVERCOME STRANGE CASE IN SYDNEY By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 31, 11 p.m. Sydney, May 31. While endeavouring to locate leaks in gas and water ’mains at Pymble, employees of the gas company and water board were investigating when John Simmonds, a turncock of the water board, opened a manhole in the street and deseended. Immediately the others heard a cry for help. Herbert Sharp, of the gas company, descended in an endeavour to rescue Simmons. The watchers on top of the shaft were horrified to see him reel and collapse in about three feet of water. Six others also attempted the rescue, but were overcome by the fumes, which were subsequently discovered to be from gas escaping from one of the mains in the same shaft as the water main. The police had great difficulty in recovering the bodies of Simmons and Sharp, lifting them, to the top of the shaft, which was only nine feet in ■depth, by means of a long iron bar hooked at the end.
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Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1927, Page 7
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180TRAGEDY IN A MANHOLE Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1927, Page 7
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