HEROIC RESCUE

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1931, Page 13

HEROIC RESCUE

EXPLOSION IN TUNNEL. UNDERGROUND DRAMA. An elderly man showed great bravery at Vaucluse, .Sydney, last week, -jn , rescuing a companion, who had been injured by an explosion of gelignite. He 1 had almost dragged the injured man from danger when another explosion occurred, and they were both struck by flying rocks. Thomas Ferong, aged 63 years, and William Dell, aged 50 years, were working in a tunnel, which was being constructed under a street to carry a sewer. The men drilled holes for two charges of explosives, fitted them with gelignite and attached fuses. They were walking to safety when one charge exploded almost half a minute earlier than was expected. Dell was struck in the back by a number of rock fragments and hurled to the floor. Blood poured from wounds on his head and brfek. Ferong had reached a safe distance when he heard the explosion, followed by his mate’s groaning. Although he knew that the second charge was due to explode he ran back through the tunnel. He had dragged Dell a few yards when the second explosion occurred, and both men were hurled to the floor of the tunnel. Other workers rescued the two men and carried them to the surface, whence they were conveyed to a hospital. Dell w,as,suffering .from concussion, shock and cuts to the head and body.. Ferong was ' treated for shock and slight injuries, and i was able to return home. 1