THE OTIRA ACCIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 382, 6 May 1910, Page 5

THE OTIRA ACCIDENT

THE RESCUE OPERATIONS. DRIVE NOT YET THROUGH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, May 5. The Star's correspondent telegraphs that Mr. Morris, Public Works Engineer, made a survey of the relief drive this morning, and found the line of the drive correct. An error was apparently made by the miners who had excavated the estimated quantity of stuff, but instead of being twelve feet clown they were only seven. The drive which Doyle and Duggan have made from inside the tunnel with the object of meeting the rescue party is not quite in the same line. There is a wall of rock four feet thick separating the prisoners from deliverance, and this is now being drilled. Doyle and Duggan are naturally disappointed at last night's failure," and this morning's survey has reassured them. If all goes well the final shots will be fired about midday.

INQUEST ON BEEMER. Oreymonth. May 5. An inquest on the body of Beemer was .opened to-day, and adjourned to next Wednesday at the Courthouse, the be Ay being removed to Hobart, where Beemer's parents reside. The question of the jury viewing the scene of the accident was deferred. ENTOMBED MINERS FREED. THREE INJURED MEN IMPROVING. Greymouth, Last Night. Word has just been received that the entombed miners were rescued from the tunnel. They are quite well and very thanisful foT their escape. The three men in the Grey Hospital are making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Beemer's body will be sent to his relatives in Hobart for interment. AFTER THE ACCIDENT. CLEANING UP. RESCUED MINERS UNHURT. Christchurch, Last Night. Since this morning the drive at the Otira tunnel has been thoroughly cleaned U]) and the shaft more strongly timbered. The refuse from last night's storm has been taken from the shaft and all cleaned to the bottom of the last shot. A shot was fired at 2 p.m. at a depth of three feet, which ehafc-l tered the rock for some depth and loos- J cued the Toof of the heading within. ' After further efforts the men were libcrated shortly after 8 .o'clock, and emerged quite uninjured. ' They werej able to walk to their huts.