SHOCKING MINING ACCIDENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1081, 10 March 1883, Page 1

SHOCKING MINING ACCIDENT.

The Temora Star gives the following particulirs of a shocking mining accident which took pUce on the 28th ult. at the Ada Gold Mining Company's shaft at Barmedan, and by which Mr Claussen, of Maryborough, lost his li f e : —' On the morning mentioned, Messrs Bransfield and Mr Clausien, with Captain Mathews, proceeded to the company's main shaft, and on reaching the brace of the shaft Claussen expressed a wish to descend to the bottom for the purpose of determiiing 'he nature of the country from his own observations ; and notwithstanding entreaties to desist from his purpose he insisted on going down. Finding that he had made up his mind, Captain Mathews preceded him down the Bhaft by the rope, and Mr Glauswa then, after another ineffectual attempt from Mr Bransfield to dissuade him, got ready by placing his foot in the bight of the rope, aid giving the order to lower. His bead had, however, but a very short time disappeared b»low the surfaoe when by some mf»ns he lost his foothold in theropa, and being a very heavy man his own weight mi!i»tod against hi?re?aimng it. After a brief struggle,

during which the rope slipped through bibands in spire of his f ran tie efforts, the nn fortunate gentleman was precipitated to tbr bottom of the shaft, a depth o' over 100 feet. As soon as those present had rt'c their presence of mind in face of the appalling catastrophe, mean* were at once adopted t ra ; se Mr Olaussen to the surface, and he wa eventually brought up dead, with his n-c broken. Deceased must have met w'tii an hi atantaneous death in hii fall. The sc >ne s the head of the shaft was one of the mot heart rending description when the body wbf raised to the surface, sa Mrßraiefieldbecame quite overpowered with grief.