Disaster at the Brunner Mine.

Manawatu Herald, 31 March 1896, Page 3

Disaster at the Brunner Mine.

The rescuers continued to work in the Brunner mine throughout the Whole of Friday night, and about two o'clock in the morning the dead bodies commenced to be brought out, and from that time until 8 a.m. the remains continued to come with dreadful and monotonous regularity, and by 11 o'clock the same night 64 had been recovered. One is yet missing, supposed to be that of Kent, though it is not certain, as one body recovered, thought to be that of Anderson from its position in the mine* is unrecognisablej A great many bodies were in a mutilated condition 5 soffle entirely beyond recognition, and their identity was only proved by clothing or some ' distinguishing mark. The body of Kent is supposed to be buried under a fall of stone* and 20 feet of driving is expected to fee required before the body will be reached. From the appearance of the bodies it is evident that some of the men were killed outright by the shock of the explosion, while others were suffocated by chokedamp. The bodies Ware found in all kinds of positions — some in holes and crevices in the rock and coal ; others with coats on and cans in hand ; some with picks at the face. It is evident that after the explosion some had made a rush to get out, but were overtaken by gas and suffocated. One man was found with his head wrapped in a bag, another with his body wrapped in canvas, the latter also much mutilated. Some bodies were completely naked, others only half clad. Several horses were killed and completely disembowelled, and the stenoh arising from the mine was very great. Owing to the breaking of the machinery by the explosion, the pumps cannot be worked, and the water is rising rapidly in the mine. If the body of Kent is not found soon, it will be covered with water, and then it will not be possible to recover the bodj till the mine is again worked. Many men had their hands to their heads when found, as if warding off a blow. There are places where the pillars have been blown out, presenting a wrecked appearance, while at other points there is no evidence of any explosion. When the explosion occurred, the telephone bell from the mine gave three distinct rings, which is the danger signal. It is thought that more than one explosion occurred, and that Parsons, who was at the dynamo, heard the first explosion and gave the signal and was then immediately killed by the second explosion. He was much burnt and mutilated, and evidently killed instantaneously. The following is a list of the bodies recovered : — J. Allen, M. Moonie, J. Morris, M. Brislane, John Roberts, Mark Masters, Robert Pascoe, Humphrey Smith, Thomas Clarke, Joseph Mclvor, M. Liddle, Henry Dettert, John Langdon, Joseph Baxter, James Richards, Geoffrey Geoghan, James Geoghan, Robert Duncan, James Worthley, John Tuart, Edward Collins, T. Beaman, W. McLuskie, Robert McLuskie, T. Moore (jun.), T. Moore (sen.), Wm. Hunter, Henry Dennisten, James Scott, Charles James, Paul Peillon, W. McMinn, George Baxter, W. Boyd, John White, Alf. Williams, James Rowe, John Dunn, Robert McMahon, D. Hooley, John Watchman, John W. Patterson, John W. Roberts, Josiah Masters, Thos. Heslin, William Henderson, R. W. Kear, T. Mclvor, Jas. McDonald, Richard O'Loughlin, R. Pascoe (jun.), Jos. Scoble (jun.), W. McKinnon, David Roberts, Fred Franklin, William Cunliffe, Patrick McDonald, B. Hill, Henry Julian, Chas. Baxter, David Anderson, David Hall, John Parsons, Saml. Roberts.