MINING ACCIDENT AT RAINY CEEEK.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 96, 30 March 1877, Page 2

MINING ACCIDENT AT RAINY CEEEK.

[fBOM OtTB OWK COBKESPONDBNT.] MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. On Wednesday last one of the most miraculous escapes from instantaneous death which has come under oar notice occurred at the Inkerman mine. Rainy Creek. It appears that the company's ! mine was being filled in from an open face some 25 feet in height ob the hill side. At the foot of the face there is a perpendicular pass or shaft leading into the mine. The " ceiling" broken down frora the cutting referred to runs into the 1 pass. On the day in question Mr Timotby Hayes, the company's contractor, was at the top of the face releasing a mass of earth which had been undermined, when he lost his footing, snd was hurled over the face. He feH at the mouth of <he passanda massof earth following afterbim swept him into the pass or shaft, wh«h has a perpendicular drop of about 27 f«et. Intimation of the accident was quickly given, and upon entering the mine Ha/ea was founnd in an insensible state at the foot of the pass. He was at once canted j into the open air when he quickly re* vived, and subsequent examination prored that no bones had been broken. As soon as possible he was brought into town snd placed under Dr Martin's care, when it was ascertained that beyond a tew bruises and scratches he was unhurt. The distance which Hayes fell was 47 feet, and as he is a stout man his escape is a nost remarkable one.