COLLIERY DISASTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 256, 30 October 1939, Page 8

COLLIERY DISASTER

THIRTY-FIVE KILLED FIREDAMP EXPLOSION IN FIFE MINE [By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright | Received Oct. 29, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 28. Thiity-livc were, killed in a firedamp explosion at 4 a.m. in the Valley rieid Collieiy, Fife district. The victims include a father and son. Twenty were slightly injured. Sixteen bodies have been recovered. There were tragic scenes at the pithead, where a crowd of distraught women waited for hours. A hundred and ten men were below ground, of whom 33 were killed outright by burning or by concussion. The nightshifts were working a coai face 17 U 0 yards irom the pit butwm at a depth of 1920 feet. The explosion injured Thomas Kerr who, nevertheless, crawled to an underground telephone and warned the surface control at the colliery. The company manager led a rescue party of miner., unprotected against gas, who recovered some of the bodies. Kerr died later in hospital. A general call brought five squads of rescuemen with full anti-gas equipment. The explosion shattered everything. Ten of the victims are believed to be buried under the debris. Their Majesties telegraphed condolences to the bereaved and sympathy to the injured.