Frightful Mining Accident.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3625, 9 August 1880, Page 2

Frightful Mining Accident.

ONE MAN SEBIOUSLY INJUBED.

One of these heartrending accidents which, situated in a mining community, it is not unfrequently oar lot to chronicle, occurred at the Hape Creek mine on Saturday evening — the victims being John .Richards and Charles Glasson. These men with three others composed the 4 o'clock shift working in Hearn's tribute, Hape Creek mine. Richards and Glasson drilled a hole about two feet two inches deep in the reef, and at eight o'clock were engaged in filling it with a charge of blasting powder—the usual quantity used—filling about eight inches of the hole. The powder was in and the fuse adjusted, and Bichards was using the tamping bar, » rod of iron, tipped with copper, when at the second blow on the last layer of powder the charge exploded right in the faces of unfortunate men. When the two other horror-stricken to find Bichards lying men' hurried to the spot they were in the stope in a fearfully mangled condition. His face' was, frightfully lacerated with splinters of quartz, and the greater portion of it appeared to be burnt to a cinder, the eyes being destroyed. His arms, chest, and body were also fearfully burnt and cat. Glasson was not so seriously burnt, as it seems he was stooping for some purpose at the time of the explosion, and was immediately behind Bichards, so that his unfortunate mate's body interposed between him and the force of the explosion. The tamping bar, however, struck him upon the head, inflicting a severe scalp wound. The unfortunate men were speedily conveyed to the hospital where their injuries were attended to by Dr M. H. Payne, the House Surgeon. It appears Bichards is a married man with a wife and four children.

Upon enquiries at the hospital to-day we hear that Richards is progressing as favorably as possible, but his injuries are very serious, and at present it is impossible to say what may be the result. Hia right arm is very much shattered and may have to be amputated. We are however pleased to be able to state that Glasson is very little the worse from the accident and proceeded to his work last night.