LINTON EXPLOSION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1929, Page 6

LINTON EXPLOSION

TE RR I F YIN G SPECTACLES

r lsy Telegraph, Per Press Association.]

INVERCARGILL, Nov. 10

Considering tiie nature of the mining disaster at Oliai on Friday, when three lives were lost, and the alarming difficulty of the rescue work, there were many acts that must rank as heroic and many sights that were terrifying, and yet extremely pathetic. The love of a father for his son was courageously typified when an old [miner, who had been working in a nearby shift, rushed into the inferno of smoke and dust in search of his son. who had been stationed at the bottom of the shaft, Some time later ho was seen crawling up the trolley track, oil his hands and knees, with a younger man slung across his shoulders. Such a feat required great, strength and an unconquerable power of will. That was one of the out-* standing—one of many instances—which passed practically unnoticed amongst the turmoil of the rescue work. Many of the mc.n who were brought to the surface soon after the explosion had made it practically impossible to live in the main part oi the shaft, were speechless on account of the effect of the gas.. Yet they did not wait to recover filly befoiyfe joining the builds of willing!rescuers. The burns gave' terrible pain.: .out on the open ground, where the injured were uncovered from the driving snow and sleet which fell incessantly, and the long truck-ride up to the offices and the ambulance was a torture to the more seriously injured ones. It is impossible to describe the obstacles overcome and tlic sights witnessed by the .searchers, for those who were hist in the depths of the shafts. When found, John Chamberlain, whose condition is very serious, as the result of extensive burns, was a living torch. His shirt a.nd upper garments were blazing freely and had tiie rescuers been a few moments later they would have been too late to save his life. It was remarkable that there was not more loss of life.

The actual explosion occurred about half way along the shaft, so . that those who were working right at the end were completely blocked from the head of the. mine. They alone realise what it was to feel tlieif way canwing and assisting half or totally-un-conscious comrades along the trolley rails through thick and suffocating fumes. Such an ordeal as the men engaged in the rescue work went through is one never likely to be forgotten. and the deeds so unselfishly performed oii behalf of their .less-for-tunate fellow workers showed the miners in their true spirit.

Robert Ross, who was badly burned about the face and had a fortunate escape '-from more serious, and perhaps fatal injuries. He was working alongside Antonio McCoy, and left- 1 -- r - mate to get a drill. Y hen the disaster occurred, the full force of the explosion was centred on the spot where Ross had been working just a moment before, and his mate was killed instantaneously.