ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9100, 20 March 1908, Page 4

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Press Association. Waihi. March 19. William Young and Alfred Hawes, miners, engaged at Hardy’s mine, Waiorongomai, were seriously injured hy the explosion of (gelignite charges. The men had charged thirteen holes and had lighted the fuse of the cut or breaking out hole, and bad.theu returnedto fire the remaining twelve holes. After lighting eleven of the fuses, Young was delayed in re-adjusting the fuse attached to the hole at the back, and his companion sang oat warning notto stay. Young immediately turned to come away, when the first shot went off, the force of which knocked both men down. Hawes managed to get up and run, but Young was evidently unable to move. Presently the remaining shots exploded iu quick succession, and Young, who meanwhile was lying on the floor of the drive, received their full force. How he escaped instant death is a miracle. Both men were carried iu to Te Aroha, whence they were taken, by train to Waihi and admitted to the local hospital. Young is suffering from compound fracture of the arm and leg, and severe outs on his head and body; his condition is critical. Hawes received a fractured skull and injures to his body.