A TERRIBLE MINING ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 549, 25 December 1890, Page 2

A TERRIBLE MINING ACCIDENT.

A FEARFUL STORY. A TRUE TALE OF HEROISM. SEVERAL LIVES LOST. Auckland, last night. A terrible accident his happened at Huntlv, owing to the collapse of a new dip in Ralph's coal mine. Four men named John Tracey, John Casby, James Smith, and Alexander Harris were entombed, and all lost their lives. Casby and Harris were taken out dead. Rescue parties worked all night and next day in sh fts The story is a most pitiful one. The rescuers had got to Casby and Harris, and were taking them out alive, when another fall of earth took place, breaking the back of Samuel Hindman. Harris and Casby had a very lingering death.

The voices had been heard before the men were uncovered. Casby could be distinctly heard advising and encouraging Harris to say his prayers. Both were Catholics, and were heard to offer up “Our Father” and “Hail Mary,” as well as other prayers. Casby appeared to feel the danger of his position more keenly than his companion. the latter being comparatively cheerful. When they were seen at this time Harris was sitting in a slightly crouch ing position under some of the timbers which appeared to have formed a slight arch over him. Casby was lying a little wav from him with his face downwards. Both had their lower extremities cru-hed down by one of the cap or cross pieces, which had embedded them in the earth. They were asked if they felt any pain, and replied that they did not. They seemed to have great hope of rescue; Casby’s first words on being dis.’ covered were addressed to Liypdman ; “ Save me, lam all right; but try to get me out.” Hyndman did his best to comply with his poor friend's request, while others were doing their best for Harris A drop of brandy was the two sufferers, and the work of cleats ing away the earth went on. It was cleared away from the upper part of the body of each.

Hvdman had his arm around Casby’s and was trving to pull him out, when another fall of earth took place, and struck the plucky rescuer across the back again, burying the othSr unfortunates. Consternation struck the relief party at this fresh disaster. All efforts were bent to rescue the new sufferer. His body was free, but the lower part of the hack and the limbs were weighted down. Wnen he moved, the lower part of the body appeared to have no feeling. Such was in truth the case, for the blow below had paralysed the man. As the men set themselves to get him out, Hvndman cried out, “ Never mind me, boys I Try and get out the others!”

The plucky fellow's request was of course disregarded for the moment. He was soon extricated, and was carried - to his home in the village. Dr Kenny was sent for, and on his arrival, after making an examination, he feared the case was hopeless After this further accident it was seen that the rescue party must carefully timber every inch of their way. Work progressed very’ slowly in spite of every effort, all through the long, long night, and long, long day. It was not till five o’clock yesterday afternoon that Casby and Harris were again seen, and then it was clear that both were quite dead. Though they had when last seen been situated at some distance from one another they were now close together, and appeared to have reached each for other in anticipation of that journey of which they knew not the end. Death brings us all nearer to one another, and so it was in the case of these two men. Enclosed in black night, waiting as patiently as any heroes for the death summons, they were clasped in each other’s arms. But though the men were dead, work went on with no cessation. The hardy miners shed tears at the pitiful sight, as they had shed them when they heard Casby’s appeal to prayer, but their manly tears seemed to lend new vigor to their strength ; if they could not save the lives of their comrades yet they could recover their bodies. Therefore, steadily work went on, and patiently the men toiled to win yet another inch, and yet another of these bodies. •- At half.past two this morning both men were still too tightly'crushed down by a heavy beam, but it was expected they would be got out this morning. Tracy and Smith had not been seen dead or alive since the first fally—end there appears to be Absolutely no hope' for their lives.