FOUR WELSH HEROES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 10 April 1914, Page 7

FOUR WELSH HEROES.

Wales has produced many heroes, but none more courageous than the gallant band who ventured their lives to save their fellow* in the terrible disaster at the Darren Colliery, Deri, on Oct. 29, 1909. An explosion had completely wrecked the winding g.ear, but a rope ladder still hung in position, and William Evans, the pit carpenter, thought it might be possible to descend by that. It was by no means certain that the ladder was intact. If it were weakened by the explosion the carpenter's fate would be :horrible to contemplate. As he hesitated there came faintly to his ears a pitiful crj : "HELP ! FOR GOD'S SAKE, HELP !" At once William Evans descended, and after him came Mr. Owen, undermanag.er of the colliery, Edmund Davies, contractor, and Henry Llewellyn, timberman. At the bottom was found Evan Jones, a collier, lying prostrate, with his legs pinned down by the weight of the heavy cage which had fallen upon him. Just then the rescuers heard another scrambling down the ladder. This proved to be Dr. W. W. Turner. He rendered all the assistance he could to Jones, who was then taken up to another doctor. Dr. Turner insisted on going with the search party, who plunged boldly through the dark roads of the pit. choking with death-dealing fumes of the after-damp, but only dead bodies were discovered. Another party of men descended, fearing as to the fate of the first party, whom they found unconscious. They were speedily removed to the mouth of the shaft, and artificial respiration applied. Three soon recovered, but Dr. Turner was unconscious for three hours, nearly paying for his bravery with his life. The Edward Medal of the Second Class was awarded by the King to all four heroes.