QUARRY EXPLOSION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1793, 4 July 1913, Page 7

QUARRY EXPLOSION.

AT KAIWARRA. MEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. At 11.30 a.m. yesterday tho Lambton Police Station received word by telephone that a serious accident bad occurred at Hurst and Co.'s quarry, Ivaiwarra, and Constables Callery and Rleetli were dispatched to tho scene. While on the way they met tho' ambulance which was bringing two injured men to the hospital. Constable Sloetli thereupon mounted the ambulancc "and accompanied it to the hospital, wlvilo Constable Callery proceeded oil to tho scene of the accident. Tho official report of the accident, os supplied by the police, states that John Tlios. Burborough, David Lp Comto (foreman), and John Winter were engaged at 11.15 a.m. in charging a 6ft. hole, when a premature explosion occurred. The bursting charge Placed in the hole included powder and a plug of gelignite, and the men were about to put iu another addition to the charge when a piece of rock fell from the side of the hole and jammed down near the bottom. Lo Comto and Winter were endeavouring to remove tho rock with a drill when the explosion occurred. It is understood that tho explosion was caused by an accidental spark struck from the rock by the drill. Lo Comto and Winter were standing directly over tho hole and were hurled somo 15 or 18ft. away. Bo',h received severe bruises about the head and body. Burborough was standing some 2ft. away from the others and lie was also thrown some 7 or Sft., but received only a slight cut on the left wrist. He telephoned for Dr. Gilmer who, after attending oil three men, had Le Comte and Winter removed ill tho ambulance to the hospital. Le Comte's injuries are imvii more serious than those received by Winter, and tho sight of both eyes is in jeopardy, Ho also sustained a badly bruised bin, and fracture of a rib. One of Winter s eyes is seriously injured, but Dr. Gilmer does not think thnt the injury will have permanent effect, lie is also badly bruised about the body and rills,_ and has suffered internal injuries besides. The three injured men were the only employees engaged in the quary at th« time, and it is stated that a wooden rani (not a metallic drill) would have l>cen a safer instrument to use under th< circumstances. The men were employed by Mr. Frederick Richards, contractor, who had leased the quarry from Messrs, Ilnrst and Co., tho owners, Kniwarra. The injured man T.o Comte is married, is aged 42 years, and resides at No. fl Brook Street. Winter, aged I!) years, is a pinglo man, and resides at 11 Charlotte Avenuo, Brooklyn. Burborough is also a singls man. who resides nt ilic Railway Boarding House, Charlotte Street.