MINING FATALITY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143691, 12 January 1912, Page 3

MINING FATALITY.

TWO MEN DEAD. . Per Press Association, THAMES, Jan. 1L A fatality, by which two men, James Williams, an elderly man, and Thos. Guy, 36 years of age, lost their lives, occurred in the May Queen mine today. Guy, with five other miners named Crawley, ‘"Adams; James, Vefcoe, and Mnlchy, with G. Herivel as shift: boss, were working in the stope above No. 6 level, which for years, has been immune from gas. Williams was working on a leader in another part of the mine above the same level. Adams was sent for water for drills, but soon returned, shouting a warning that the gas was in the level. , The miners descended the ladder-way, and reached the level in safety. . The gas was present in great volumes, and soon one candle after another went out, until a. solitary candle, held by Adams, remained alight. Soon this went out, and in the. dark a deadly struggle ensued to reach tho chamber above, where fresh air flowed. Several fell in the journey, but all reached safety except Guy, Williams, and Crawley. Assistance was secured, and the sufferers, jwho were all in a state of collapse, were sent to the surface. The three men named could not be found. A search was then made, and Crawley and Guy were first found. The former had evidently been overcome while endeavouring to rescue Guy, for he was supporting the latter’s head. Both were taken to the surface and artificial means to restore respiration used. Crawley recovered sufficiently to be taken to the hospital, but Guy died soon after he reached the surface. Search in the meantime was being made for Williams. It was evident he had missed his .way in the darkness, for he was lying in tho tunnel leading to the He had also received a serious injury to his head and was dead when brought to the surface. There was a pitiful scene at the mouth of the shaft, when the wives of the deceased men arrived. A coroner’s inquiry was opened and formal evidence of identification of the deceased was given. The scone of the accident will ho inspected to-morrow, after which the inquiry will be adjourned, as several important witnesses as to what caused the inrush of gas have to / be considered. SAVING A COMRADE. CRAWLEY’S GALLANT ATTEMPT. THAMES, Jan. 12. In connection w,ith tho May Queen fatality, where the party of miners was overtaken by gas, two men belonging to Thames, named Thomas Guy and James Williams, lost their lives. When the rescuers, Alexander and Herival, went into the level they saw the bodies of Guy and Crawley, It was evident the latter had made a gallant though unsuccessful attempt to rescue his mate Guy, who was almost spent. Crawley was in a similar condition, but he' maintained a determined hold on Guy. He was lying back holding the latters head and Shoulders up, as though endeavouring to protect him from the deadly foe that held both almost in death’s grip. Alexander secured Guy, and Hsnval did a similar duty to Crawley. Tho latter recovered when . brought to tho surface, but the former was too far spent. The only one then missing was Williams. Herival and Alexander again searched the level, hut could discover no trace of Williams, until they went into a short drive leading; to the magazine.;. Here Williams was found lying face 1 downward'. It was evident he had tripped over some obstacle and fallen. Had he gone onward, and kept to the level proper, his life would probably have been saved. Both victims were married men. Guy leaves several children. Adams is able to leave the hospital, and Crawley, who nearly lost his life in trying to save Guy, may leave to-day. All the rescued men are in a weak condition.