Serious Blasting Accident.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4952, 22 November 1884, Page 2

Serious Blasting Accident.

Three Hen Injured.

At about a quarter to three o'clock this afternoon a blasting accident occurred in the Caledonian Low Level workings at the 640 feet level, by which three miners were somewhat seriously injured. Tbeir names are—Fred James (" boss " of the shift), Nicholas Pearce, and Samuel Howard. Owing to the late hour we were not able to get full details, but the particulars, so far as we can learn them from the men who were working below at the time, are as follows:— It being nearly time to change the shift, five holes were charged in the south crosscut and two in the north one. The three men hurt were to fire the five holes, and another, on hearing the signal given by J. Sullivan (who was posted at the poiut where the crosscuts branch from the main drive) was to ignite the fuses of the two charges in the north end. Sullivan called out " fire," and as agreed upon the two holes were "spitted," but hardly had the man done this and turned to walk back out of danger, when a shot went off in the south drive, puttiDg out all the lights. He at once knew that an accident had happened, and as fast as he could hurried back to the chamber (a distance of over 1000 ft), whither Sullivan had also made his way. The afternoon shift was just going on, and Sullivan went back with them, his mate proceeding to the surface to get medical aid in readiness. Howard was first met by the rescuing party, he having crawled out to the main east drive, and the others were found further in. AH three were helped to the surface, and taken in a cab to the Hospital, where Dr. Callan (in the absence of Dr. Payne) attended to their injuries. Fortunately the eyesight of all three is uninjured, and their wounds were chiefly caused by the mullock striking and cutting them, though the powder flame has inflicted some burns. Howard is most severely hurt, his face, chest, arms, and hands being badly cut; James has two severe cuts on his right arm, and is also badly marked on his face ; Pearce has suffered the least. It is a wonder that the men escaped with their lives, as they must have been exposed to the flying stone from all five shots. It is surmised that the one shot went off unexpectedly while the men were close to the face, and that the concussion fired the others.