MULLIGAN DISASTER

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14756, 21 September 1921, Page 5

MULLIGAN DISASTER

FEARFUL SCENES

RESCUERS' SUPEFfHUMAN EFFORTS.

COURAGEOUS WOMEN. (United Press Association.) Received September 21 10.40 pun. BRISBANE, September 21. The Mulligan explosion blew out the mine tunnel and air shaft simultaneously. Eighteen bodies have so far been idcntilied, namely, Giclcs, Lieut, Gillies, Latimer, Taylor, Hutton, Leary, Patterson, Camm, Long, Howes,. Adams, Jackinzik, Carney, Miuoguc, Vallem, Liversedge, arid Thompson.. The last-named’s body was brought out ou Tuesday morning, burnt black, and destitute of clothes, and was hardly recognisable. The charred remains of CaniQy and Fogarty were also brought up, the only .articles of wearing apparel not burnt on the bodies are the bools. Doctor Clarke says that death must have been instantaneous. Victims burnt by the llamcs die immediately from Hie shook. There \vas a remarkable spectacle at the pit mo'ulh, where women waited all night, knowing full well that the chances of their relatives being restored to them alive were hopeless. The men are working in a superhuman fashion to get at the buried miners, those relieved pacing up and down like caged tigers, impatient for their next turn. The Tearfulness of the scene defies description. Women and children are weeping brokcn-hcartcdly, and the men working frantically to distract Iheir minds from the horror of the disaster. A most inspiring sight was that of the brave-hearted women, whose dead husbands and sons have been brought out, endeavouring to cheer the others bereaved. The women stayed throughout the night at the pithead, making tea to refresh the men, and urging them to greater efforts. Birds in cages are being taken below by ilic leader of the relief gang to detect the presence of gas. If the birds topple over the men are warned to retire. A number of the rescuers have, agreed to take a rest. They have been working since Monday. Two rescuers were brought out badly gassed. The first funeral ever held in Mulligan took place on Tuesday afternoon. Three farm waggons were used asi hearses, each carrying several coffins. Later. A further message states that ,22! bodies have now been recovered,, the last idenfifed being Hlawes, Mclntyre,,, and D. Hutton. Tlie northern side of the tunnel has. been fully searched, and work is commencing on the southern side. The searchers believe that the last batch recovered were suffocated, as th6y.were found with their faces to the ground,, suggesting that they were struggling' against the fumes.