CATASTROPHE AT OHAKUNE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 114, 16 May 1916, Page 4

CATASTROPHE AT OHAKUNE.

EXPLOSION IN GOVERNMENT QUARRY.

SIX MEN KILLED. ' f i ONE BODY NOT RECOVERED.* TWO INJURED BY BURNS. IN THE TAIHAPE HOSPITAL. INQUEST OPENS TO-MORRoaY A most disastrous and fatal explosion took place in the Railway Department’s .quarry* at at. twenty past fiv e o’clock on Monday (yesterday) afternoon, by which six men lost their lives and others were injured. A large face was being worked and a drive had been made which, was estimated to bring down some 1000 tons of stone. When the accident happened the drive was being leaded with explosives which were to be let off tomorrow ( Wednesday) when the loading would be completed and everything in readiness. There were eight men in the drive or tunnel into the rock at the time the explosion took place from some unexplainable, mysterious cause. The, report was tremendous and it shook! the earth right throughout the neighbourhood. Many tens of stone fell, some of it being forcibly thrown long distances. Three of the men were thrown clear, but instantaneously killed, two others were injured. Three were buried and one had not been recovered at the time of going to press. The men killed and recovered are G. H. Mellsop, Assistant-En-gineer, of the Public /Works Department, he leaves a wife and family; H. Larking, a cadet; Arthur Davies, Overseer, who was killed by being struck by a flying piece of rock; P. McGarry, labourer; another labourer named Torrens, and a labourer whose

name is unknown, being unrecognisable. Two injured men, Morgan and Michael Sheecly were at once sent to the Taihape Hospital, where, it .s understood, they are being attended by Dr. Boyd. Their injuries are not likely to prove fatal, .although the burns on face, neck and arms are exceedingly painful.

When this premature explosion took place two fuses had been laid and prompt search was somewhat hampered by fears of the second fuse causing a second explosion, these fears, however, proved groundless.Every resident of Ohakune was soon attracted to the spot and there were any amount of willing helpers, but it was thought advisable to get professional minors from Huntly. Inese were sent for and were not long in arriving, and they are now searching for the body that has not yet been recovered.

The sad circumstances have cast quite a gloom, not only over the communities of Ohakune and Raetihi, but throughout the whole district. Every telephone in Ohakune seemed to be engaged, as there was great difficulty in finding one that Avas free from Taihapc, from early morning up till near neon, and many varying narratives of what has happened are in circulation. An inquest will be opened to-morrow morning before Mr. J. P. Aldridge, Coroner, but it is probable that it will be adjourned to a more convenient date. £