A SHOCKING DYNAMITE EXPLOSION.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4806, 4 June 1884, Page 2

A SHOCKING DYNAMITE EXPLOSION.

The Kumara Times of Monday furnishes the following particulars of an explosion of dynamite in a claim at Hayes Terrace, known as the " Austrians." On the morning of that day between ten and half-past ten o'clock, as Louis Lonsich and John Slanich, mates in the same claim, were preparing to shatter a huge stone by blasting with dynamic, and while in the act of putting in the cartridges and driving them home with an old hammer- handle, the charge exploded. John Lousioh, the brother of Louis, was not many yards distant, whilst Carl P. Carlssen, the fourth mate, was otherwise engaged above the claim. The explosion was a serere one to both men; btaaich was found in a kneeling position, very much disfigured with blood. Lousich was prostrate ; when lifted by Carlssen, he simply exclaimed, "Carly! Carly! dear Carly!" Dr Monckton was sent for aud arrived on the spot quickly, and ordered the removal of the wounded men to the Kumara Hospiial. Lonsich had his right eye destroyed, the nose almost irreparably smeshed and torn, the soft p::rts of the left fore-arm very much torn; tLle right fore-arm from a little below the elbow was only hanging by bit of sinew, and has ~sTfiee been ampu^. tated, so as to save the elbow. This was effected by the administration of chloroform, since which he has recovered consciousness, and is now not suffering any pain. Stanich had the skin of his face, chest, and neck perforated by small particles of debris, the effects of the explosion; and the soft parts of the right fore-arm are very badly torn ; but we are pleased to say that although there is,a great swelling about the eyes, the sight appears to be uninjured. Offers were kindly made by the mates and others, to obtain additional surgical assistance, but Dr Monckton assured them that in his opinion it would only be a waste of time, which is such cases might be prejudicial to recovery. _^