Terrible Killing Disaster

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume VIII, Issue 2345, 7 September 1908, Page 2

Terrible Killing Disaster

Seven Men Killed Fall of Rock and Earth Distressing Scenes Press Association'.—Copyright. (Received September 7, 1.20 a.m.)' BRISBANE, September 6. A shocking disaster happened at the: Mount Morgan mine on Saturday evening, resulting in the death o< seven men, named Leishman, Shepherd, Guthrie, Jory, Hillyard, Gerrko, and Ryan. They were employed in the 850 feet level, when suddenly, without warning, an immense mass of earth and rock, weighing about JJUOO tons, broke away, filling the level and burying the seven men •

Though it was recognised tliat tliu position was jiracticiilly hopeless, the work of the mini) was stopped, and rescue operations wore started, and co'ntinned throughout ihe night and day, The work was attended with great I danger owing to finite debris falling, | The last .bmly was recovered to-night. All flic bodies wore terribly mutilated. A great. crowd surrounded the mine, and 'pitiful scenes occurred. Five of those killed wei'c married. Just prior to the collapse a man met with an accident, and a companion accompanied him out of the fatal love). Guthrie, one of the victims, descended and took the injured man's place. The man who escorted his injured companion out of the mine was returning to work with two others, and the three had a narrow escape. They were standing just imts'de the'disturbed area when it collapsed. : (Received September 7,'9,58 a.m.) , JIEIjUQI'II-NE, This Day,

The fall took place in' one of the large copper ore chambers,' the large mass coming clean away: from the roof and side. This part of the Mount Morgan mine was considered exceptionally safe. It is believed that the constant blasting operations loosened the rock. The victims were working on nouract,