THE ACCIDENT AT THE WALLSEND MINE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1569, 27 May 1887, Page 2

THE ACCIDENT AT THE WALLSEND MINE

Gbetmouth, May 28. r The Inquiry Into the WtHrond mfaa accident re-opened to-day before Major Keddell. Inspector Binns appeared foe the Government, Mr Jones for the miners* and filr Kitobingham for the minis owners: The only witness examined war Jamei Dunn, miner, who was working bslow at the time of the explosion. H*» said Elliott, the overman, triad the plica Duna was working m. Before firing hll shot Elliott pat hia olavy lamp into the) cutting, and said, " I thl<cik she's dear," meaning clear of gas. Witness remarked* "It I* the firat time I hare ever seen gas tried with a ' olavy, 1 and I would rather you would takb my Davy." Elliott, how* ever, declined to do so. The roof wai making gas all the way, bat Elliott did not try if there was ; gaa m the holes In the roof. Elliott fired the shot prepared by witness with fuse. While sitting down they heard the shot go off, and the ex* nlcstoD. Elliott aaid r ". What is that.' 1 , Witness said, "She has fired; she's there/ meaning the gas. Witnc33 rolled over on his h<tnds and knees, and oovered hit face with his hands. Thinking the gan had gone over him he got np, intending to mike for the stenton > when the gas caught him and knocked him against the roof of the drive, and he fell on his baok. Ha got out to the flat sheet, bat was burnt severely over the neck, head, and both hands and one hip. He had a | severe contusion on the head, and wh blind for five days. He had been coal* mining for twenty years. He had worked m mines where the miners were ordered oat when the gaa was present, The fire* men would drive the gaa out and then fire the shot. They did not do this la the Wallaend mine. Elliott ;llt.?}the faro with an open light — it Is the usual practice fn the Wallsand mine; After fur--1 ther evidence the enquiry was adjourned till to-morrow morning.