ENTOMBED FOR EIGHT HOURS

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1733, 25 April 1913, Page 4

ENTOMBED FOR EIGHT HOURS

FALL IN LAKE COLERIDGE TUNNEL (By Tolcgrapli—Press Association.) Christchurch, April 21. Early on Tuesday morning a fall occurred in the Lake Coleridge tunnel at tlio outlet end, which resulted in tho entombing of hvo "workmen, Sydney Churning and Peter Petersen, who wore secured after strenuous efforts eight hours Inter. Tho fall occurred at a spot that has been giving trouble since tho work started. Ail alarm was at ouco raised, and a message dispatched to, the lesident angineer, Mr. lvissell, who hurried to the scene of tho disaster, mid took charge of rescue operations. A gang of men assembled mid began ttj work with might uiul mnin to bore through the iutervcuiug soil and sliinglo to reach their mates. Nothing could be hoard from tho tunnel interior, and it was feared that the men had succumbed.

,l)y 8 o'clock a small pipe was driven through to the tunnel, and then a sound of blocking was heard. Efforts were niado to speak to the men, but without success.. A larger pipe was then forced through, mid communication was established before midday, nnd food was passed through the pipe to tho men. Meanwhile the rescue gangs plied pick and shovel, and by two o'clock au aperture was made large enough for tho men to crawl through, and it was then seen that they hnd sustained no injury. Wnic will bo started apain in tho tunnel as Kion a,s tho fall is cleared and tho roof closed up safely.