SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3757, 9 March 1875, Page 3

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT PORT CHALMERS.

An accident occurred at the Deborah Bay tunnel works at about 7 p.m. yesterday, to two of the workmen, named Wm. Stephens and •tuci John ]\l Griath. It nppeixrs they were engaged iu charging a hole injreadiness for a blast when, by some means, M'Grath let the fuse go down the hole, and the tamping was put in before the mistake w r as discovered. They then commenced to withdraw the tamping and flood the hole, and while drawing out the charge the blast suddenly exploded, driving the men into the tunnel. They were extricated as speedily as possible and conveyed to the Port Chalmers Hotel, a distance of about five miles, by their fellow' workmen, and there were attended by l)is 0 Douoghuo and Greig, who, on examination, found that Stephen’s left hand was completely and his back and head injured. IvPGrath is still more seriously injured. In addition to losing his left hand, bis right one was very badly hurt, the left clavicle was fractured and the left lung perforated, producing emphysema. Everything that could possibly be done for the sufferers was done by the medical gentlemen, and every assistance cordially rendered by Mr Dodson, who offered a room in his house for the men to remain in. l aptain Patterson, of the p.s. Golden Age, immediately ordered steam to be got up to convey them to the Dunedin Hospital. The medical men were of opinion that M'Grath was not in a fit state for removal, the slightest motion in lus case being dangerous. Stevens was carried on board the Golden Age, which left the railway pier at 11.45 p.m. Oh inquiry at the Hospital to-day we learned that Stephens, who lost the whole of the fingers of the left hand, had an operation performed on him to-day. M'Grath, at four o’clock, was still in a dangerous state. He has lost his left hand, has the right much injured, and his ribs broken. It is not true that his lungs are perforated.