FATAL MINING ACCIDENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1997, 21 January 1890, Page 4

FATAL MINING ACCIDENT.

Melbotjkitb, Jan. 11. A fatal mining accident occurred at the Lazarus mine, Sandhurst, yesterday morning, resulting in serious injury to four men and the death of another. The scene of the accident is 2000 ft down in the north level. It is in 30ft north of the shaft, and there is a stope carried in tho above level a distance of 25ft from the shaft. Prior to the change of shift four holes were charged in this shift, three with Cook’s blasting powder and the fourth with gelatine dynamite. As the men were leaving they fired these holes and retired to a place to await the explosion. Here they met several of the day shift men who had just come on to the work. After waiting a little time they heard what they thought were four explosions and being satisfied that all the charges went off they started to go in. Jas. Moyle, foreman of the shift which was' just le.-ving off, said that as the boss of the day shift had not yet arrived he would go in with them to see what execution had been done by the shot. In undertaking this duty, Moyle little thought he was going to his death. He started in, and was followed by J. Frederick, Christapher Kelly, H. Carman, and J. Tippett.. Just as they reached the stope a terrific explosion took place, and a large quantity of quartz came down. Some of the foremost men were covered in debris , while the others who were fortunate enough to escape the numerous missiles flying about were thrown on their backs by the force of the explosion. For a time all was confusion, as the lights were blown out. However, the noise of the blast and the cries of the men told a terrible tale to the other miners in the vicinity, and a relief party was soon organised. Carman and Frederick were the first got out and sent up, and then Tippett and Kelly. They were followed by Moyle’s body, for the poor fellow was found to be dead. As soon as extricated Carman, who did not appear to be so seriously injured as the others, insisted on going home, where his injuries were attended to. Tippett, Kelly, and Frederick were sent to the Hospital. On the examination of the men at the hospital, Kelly was found to be the most seriously injured, as, besides other injuries, he had a terrible fracture of the skull. His case is regarded as hopeless. Frederick is suffering from a compound fracture of the skull, and his case was also regarded as very precarious, fippett received various injuries over his body.