BURIED MINER’S PLUCK

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 742, 15 August 1929, Page 1

BURIED MINER’S PLUCK

BRAVERY OFJVOULD-BE RESCUER CORONER COMMENDS GALLANTRY 1 (From Our Own Correspondent) . , , . HUNTLY, Thursday. rAT one miner had gone to his death humming a tune, and that another had displayed great bravery in trying' to save him, was revealed at the adjourned inquest last evening concerning the death of Samuel Broadbent, who was killed by a fall of coal at Rotowaro on July 26.

3(i. E. J. Farrell. J.P., acted as cortier

Mr. F. L. Cl. West, Auckland, appeared for the Taupiri Coal Company, y r William Barclay (inspector) for ifce Mines Department, and Mr. R. L. Roberts, on behalf of the Rotowaro Miners’ Union. Joseph O'Brien, deceased's mate, Jtated that they were working on the jack shift, and shortly after S p.m. a .mall fall of coal occurred. He railed to Broadbent. asking him if he was ail right. Broadbent said, “I am all right, but I am caught by the leg." He was released from that position, and another fall occurred, which hnried witness, and also injured William Horn Henderson, a trucker, who went to bis assistance. Despite liis Injuries, the trucker endeavoured to free witness, and while he was doing jo another fall enveloped Broadbent.

The men were engaged in extracting pillar coal. The spot was well timbered. and had been inspected twice that evening before the mishap. HUMMING A TUNE

William Horn Anderson’s statement iras a corroboration of O’Brien’s, and he added that while endeavouring to release O’Brien he could hear Broadbent hamming a tune, but r.ot after the final fall of coal. After getting O'Brien out, he hastened for assistance to the underviewer. Samuel Pendleton said that both

miners were experienced and firstclass men. He arranged for prompt assistance to recover Broadbent who was ultimately found buried under three feet of coal.

In reply to a question, witness did not think that Broadbent's life would have been saved had Henderson gone to his assistance after releasing O’Brien. The former did the best thing possible, especially as he, Henderson, was injured himself. The telephone was 200 yards from the scene of the fatality, and there was no one at the surface end, and there would not be anyone available for rescue work from that place in the event of a mishap. Dr. R. C. Macdiarmid, who examined Broadbent after he was brought out of the mine, stated there were no bones broken. Artificial respiration was tried for 20 minutes, but without success. Death was due to asphyxiation. The jury found that “Broadbent met his death accidentally.” They added that they were of the opinion that when miners are extracting pillar-coal in isolated places, the shiftmen should be employed near at hand in case rf accident. . The jury also expressed sympathy with the widow and brother. The coroner drew attention to the bravery of Mr. Henderson, wbo at great risk saved Mr. O’Brien’3 life, though injured himself. The foreman, Mr. E. George, said the jury concurred in this remark.