THE MAY QUEEN FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 107, 13 January 1912, Page 5

THE MAY QUEEN FATALITY.

HEROIC ATTEMPT AT RESCUE. By Telegraph— Association. Thames, Friday. In _ connection .with, the May Queen fatality, \vht;re the party of miners was overtaken by gas, two men belonging to Thames, named Tlionuis Guy and J times Williams, lost .their Jives. When the rescuers, Alexander and Herival, went into the level they saw the bodies of Guy and Crawley. It was evident the latter had made a gallant though unsuccessful attempt to rescue his mate] Guy, who was almost spent.. Crawley i was in a similar condition, but he maintained a determined hold on Guy. He was lying back holding the latter's head and shoulders up, as though endeavoring to protect him from the deadly foe that held both almost in death's grip. Alexander secured Guy, and Herival did a similar duty to Crawley. The latter recovered when -brought to the surface, but the former was too far spent. The only one then missing was Williams.

Herival and Alexander again searched the level, but could discover no trace of Williams, until they went into a short drive leading to . the magazine. Here Williams was found lying face downward. It was evident he had tripped over some obstacle and fallen. Had he gone onward, and kept to the level proper, his life would probably have been saved. Both victims were married men. Guv leaves three children. Adams is able to leave the hospital, and Crawley, who nearly lost his life in trying to save Guy, may leave to-day. All the rescued men are in a weak condition.