Shocking Fatality.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 134, 5 December 1896, Page 2

Shocking Fatality.

EIGHT LIVES LOSt.

(Per Press Association.) Sydney, Dec. 4. A terrible fatality occurred at the Stockton mine, Newcastle, this morning, A party of miners under Cockbnm, the mine surveyor, entered the mine to ascertain the cause which led to the death of two men a few days ago. The party wera suddenly overcome by pas fume*, and a rescue party came to their assist* ance, but three of these lost their lives together witb five of the original party. Intense excitement prevailed, and crowds wended tbeir way to tbe pit mouth. Wben the return of the exploring party waß not signalled the mine officials apprehended something wrong, and called for a rescue party, who succeeded in rescuing seven men, who were brought up in an insensible condition. Those engaged in the rescue had a hard battle with the foul air. The following were brought up dead : — Cockburn, surveyor ; Bailey, McAlpine (two), Sweeney, Gascoigne, Cbarleswortb, Fitzpatrick. A ninth man named Snedden was brought up insensi ible, and his recovery is regarded as hopeless. As the bodies were brought to the surface there- were heartrending scenes. McAuhffe, manager of the pit, I says when he saw four men lying down I helpless, he picked one up who clutched him round the waist and cried, "For I God's sake help me, save my life McAuliffe." He was then overcome by foul air and had to drop the uo fortunate fellow. McAuliffe's lamp then went outf and be had to crawl to the bottom of the shaft. Poor Sweeney had been one of i rescue party and had saved two lives, when he. too, bad met bis death. Fitzpatrick was one of the rescue party. Ouly two of the victims were married. One was a widower witb a number ot children.