THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 255, 18 March 1913, Page 7

THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

An explosion which jmpevilled the lives of three miners occurred in Williams' United mine. Eaulelnuvk on March 1 (says a message f rom Melbourne). The men who took part in the thrilling experience were Arthur Slikbeck (30), married; George Grillett (40), married; and Rupert Lewis (21), single. The three men charged a round of eight holes with explosives.- The fuses attached to the charges were lit, but before the men could get away the first charge exploded prematurely. ' The force of the explosion knocked the men down. Their candles were extinguished, and the workings enveloped in darkness. Grillett and Lewis, who fell near each other, quickly regained their feet, and groped their way along the level. When they got beyond the danger zone, thev ascertained that Skilbeclc was not with them. On calling out to their mate, they were horrified to hear him reply, "T cannot move: I'm pinned down by a piece of stone."

The two mon. well knowing that the remaining charges would., explode 'in a few seconds... plnokrlv 'returned along tlie drive to (lie rescue of -their distressed comrade. The intrepid pair were entloitvorin.tr to release the tinforttinate .fellow when the second charge went off. Once more the men were thrown oft' their feet and -were struck by flving debris. They scrambled as best they could along the level to the Hat. and, by this time the full round of holes had been discharged. As SUN bock appeared to be hopelessly pinned down by the block of stone, and it seemed impossible for him to escape with his life, his mates gave the accident signal, and. having relit their candles, were returning to the scene of the explosion when they were astonished at meeting Skilbeck making his way along the drive towards them.

SkillH'ok, altbontrh suffering severely from shock, was able to explain that the explosion of (he hist few charges had caused the Mock of stone which had pinned him down to roll over, and as soon rs he found himself released he had groped his wav through (he darkness, over the debris brought down by the shots, and along the level. All the men were more or less cut about.