THAMES MINING DISASTER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 430, 13 January 1912, Page 5

THAMES MINING DISASTER.

An * unexpected inrush of gas occurred in the May Queen mine on Thursday, resulting in the death by suffocation of two men. while two .others had to be conveyed to the 'Thames Hospital for t-eatment, and •four men had to proceed to their ihotnes. A party was engaged in the stopes ■above No. 6 level. It consisted of James Williams, Thomas Guy, M. ■Crawley, J. Adams, J. James M. Vercoe, and Mulcahy, the whole being under the supervision of the shift boss, G. Herival. Everything had been proceeding as usual, when the warning came. There was an awful scramble tor life, when the alarm was given that gas was in No. 6 level, and a a desperate struggle ensued. James Williams was overcome with gas and fell in the level. He as dead when rescued by Herival. Thomas Guy was also overcome, but Was alive when brought to the surface, «nd he was promptly attended by Dr iralahe (who used every means ol artificial respiration to bring him to), fctvtfee died shortly after being brought outM tbe mine. Crawtey, who was also overcome with the gas, and fell in the level, was ■CBcnrd by L. Alexander, a pitman at the Hauraki shaft. Crawley, who was in a very bad state when brought to the surface, was treated by a hoioital nurse, and gradually improved, ontil he was in a fit state to be conveved to the hospital. Adams was also taken to the same institution. \ t G Herival (the shift boss), J. James, M. Vercoe, and Mulcahy were abli to proceed to their homes, and are said to be progressing favourably. There is nothing to indicate at present what caused the incursion of