MINE TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 November 1939, Page 6

MINE TRAGEDY

TWO MEN BURIED UNDER DEBRIS I ACCIDENT AT MILLERTON. ONE BODY RECOVERED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WESTPORT, November 14. [ Two men are believed to be covered I by fallen debris in the Westport Coal Company's Millerton mine, with no hope of their recovery alive. The fall of debris occurred today in an old dip which four men were preparing for a resumption of working. J. Young escaped with slight injuries, but Joseph Hopkinson. Robert Brownlie and John Blake were trapped. Mr Blake was later recovered, •pinned up by timber against a wall and suffering from shock, but it is believed that both Mr Brownlie and Mr Hopkinson are covered by debris with no hope of their recovery alive. Miners are working in relays to remove the fall, which was apparently very heavy. Mi- Hopkinson. an old servant of the company, and deputy in charge, is a married man. about 60 years of age, with four married daughters. one single daughter, and one son. Mr Brownlie is a married man over 60 years of ago with one married daughter and one son. Mr Blake is a single man. Late tonight the body, of Mr R. Brownlie was recovered. Miners are working in shifts of four hours to try to reach Mr Hopkinson.