A MINING DISASTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9319, 20 August 1908, Page 1

A MINING DISASTER.

* — SEVENTY-SIX MINERS ENTOMBEI HOPE OF RESCUE ABANDONED. United Pri»sa Association— By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. LONDON, August 19. , An explosion entombed seventy-sis tnen in No. 1 drive of the Maypole colliery at Abrarn, near Wigan, destroying th 4 ventilating' shaft; and, cage, and blowing the timber headgear in all directions, some portions to a distance oi 200 ft. Clouds of smoke are issuing from the shaft. There are indications that the cannel coal in the mine has Ered, with great danger of the entombed being suffocated. The repair of the l&n-house is proceeding rapidly. A rescue party meanwhile descended the iWigan Junction colliery, half a mile .'distant, which communicates with No. 2 of the Maypole mine, and penetrated- several hundred yards towards the wrecked workings. Approaching these the air was almost unbreatbable, and heavy falls of the)roof impeded progress. Several dead^ ponies were seen, and then three dead miners were found, caw terribly mutilated and unrecognisable. The explorers were, unable to ©peak with certainty as to the condition of the mine as regards after-damp, although five members of the party suffered therefrom. ./■•.. ; : it- was Announced at three o'clock flus morning that all hope of rescuing the entombed men had been abandoned.