THE TUNNEL ACCIDENT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1923, Page 3

THE TUNNEL ACCIDENT

- ;s Jinx KNTOJUIKI). [nV TF-LKtißAfll —l'Ett I'UESS ASSOCIATION. ) NABIFR, Nov. TO. About live last evening a large portion of a tunnel being erected oil the Fast Coast railway, at Kaiwaka, collapsed, entombing three men. hive others who were working on the spot where the earth fell had miraculous escapes. The names of the entombed men are Jobn Robert Ilobensee, o(), married; T. D’Alahoney, 25, single: (’. Diamond, 27, single.

Rescuers reached Diamond at JO.T9 [i, m . He was pinned in a precarious position and then commenced a long task to relieve him. Hope lor the other two is small. About eighty men are at the public works camp at l\aiwaka where the accident oceuried.

They were engaged lor some time in putting in the tunnel which when completed, will be about ten chains in length through the hill. The work is done in shifts of gangs of light men. About two chains of the tunnel was completed up to the spot where the lull took- place. The men in the gang were John R. Ilobensee. i. OAfaheiiev. AI. ( onwav. \\ . Jenkins, and

E. Jenkins. They went into the tunnel ;ii four oVloek ntul the shill hnu been at work hardy an hour, when suddenly a portion of the tunnel collapsed, completely burying the three men. who fortunately were a little scattered. Yomig, hy the falling debris hut managed it, extricate himself and crawl clear. He was injured about the head and shoulder. Kraser fell on his late but was not injured. Hohetisee. who was leader ol the gang, and O’.Mahoney were thought to have* been near the left hand <ide oi the tunnel and Diamond was known to he on the right side. An endeavour was made to locate the entombed men hut the uncertainty of thoi: position made the task dillicult . Ihe rescuers listened for sounds, but none came from the left. A sound was heard from the right, and after several hours' digging tin* lirst victim was located and found still alive. The man was Charlie Diamond, who was pinned down by two big pieces of timber and pieces of rock, a huge piece of rock pressing against his head. . At midnight the men were still endeavouring to extricate Diamond, but it was considered it would he some hours before he got clear. Diamond was a member of the 'runnel ling Corps in the New Zealand forces. O’Mahoney is a native of Ireland and has a sister residing at I lamiltou. Work is proceeding feverishly ti extricate the other men.

DIAMOND RESCUED. NAPIER. Nov. 30. In connection with the tunnel disaster. it is not expected the remaining two bodies can he reached within twe days, therefore the hop.’ el rescuing them alive has been given up. It is feared as the gang remove the debris more will fall. Diamond was got out at 10 a.m.. conscious, though suffering front severe injuries. He was removed to the Napier hospital. WANTED— BRICKLAYER to build 3 brick chimneys: and copper. Apply Joseph Manern, Fergusons,