20 Jan 1885
ACCIDENT IN A TUNNEL - THREE MEN BURIED
Information was received in town last night that a dreadful accident had happened in a tunnel on the Wellington and Manawatu railway works - that the tunnel had fallen in and that several men were buried beneath the debris. The news of the mishap was telephoned to town by Mr S. Brown's overseer, Mr Laughton, but no particulars were then given. Later on, however, some details were sent through, and from these we glean the following particulars:- A party of twelve men were working in the No. 8 tunnel, situated between Pukerua and Paikakariki. The stuff they had been removing in order to widen the ends of the tunnel was composed of rotten rock and the walls and sides had to be timbered until the brick lining could be effected. Yesterday afternoon the men had removed some of the planks from the roof, when, without much warning, the heavy timbers gave way and the roof of the tunnel caved in. Nine of the men succeeded in reaching a place of safety before the earth came down, but three men were buried beneath the debris, viz., Peter de George, Henry Lloyd and Matthew Panzadetti. Mr Laughton having been sent for, relays of men were at once put on to clear the tunnel and rescue if possible the men entombed. After much labour the workers heard the faint voice of Panzadetti, who said he was free from earth and could move his limbs. He further said he could hear groans from a man buried beneath another block of earth behind him. Mr Laughton then telephoned to town for medical assistance, and Mr Gillon was last night despatched by the s.s. Tui for Pukerua Bay, where he expected to be landed at midnight. The steamer was about to start thither with material and Dr Gillon, with commendable promptitude, hastened on board with a view to rendering surgical aid if necessary. Meanwhile those at the scene of the accident made every preparation for the reception of the men should they be brought out alive.
Our own correspondent at Paikakariki, writing last night, says:- At half past 3 this afternoon a serious, and it is feared fatal, accident happened in what is known as No. 8 tunnel on Mr S. Brown's contract, on the West Coast Railway, the Pukerua-Paikakriki section. In this tunnel the drive had been put through, and the shift were employed in breaking out or enlarging the opening to the full size, when without the slightest warning two sets of timer, representing a length of 24 feet of the tunnel, fell in, completely burying in the fall, three of the men engaged - Peter De George (an Italian), Matlio Panzadetti (an Austrian) and Harry Lloyd (a native of Lancashire). Every effort is now being made, under the direction of Mr J. Laughton, the manager, to effect the liberation of the unfortunate men, who, up to the time of writing, have been buried over six hours. I have just returned from the scene of the accident, which is about three miles from Paikakariki, and at the time of my visit the rescuing party had got sufficiently near the sufferers to be able to speak to one at least - the man Panzadetti, a young fellow of about 20 - who said he was lying between some of the timber, that he could see the lights of the rescuers, but that he feared they would not reach him in time. Of the other men little is known. Groans can be heard at intervals, but whether they proceed from De George or Lloyd could not be ascertained. A large number of men are employed in the work of rescue and as only a few can be employed at once, arrangements have been made for the workers to be relieved at short intervals.
Peter De George is an old West Coast miner, well known in the Grey and Reefton district. The other men engaged on the 'shift' escaped uninjured. It may perhaps, be opportune to remark that each shift is under the guidance of an experienced and trustworthy miner, and the only reason for this unfortunate catastrophe is that the gound in this particular tunnel is of an unusually treacherous nature, being a loose salty drift
23 Jan 1885 THE PUKERUA TRAGEDY. Our Paikakariki correspondent writes under date Thursday evening that the enquiry into the cause of death of Peter de George was opened twice on that day, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., and that the Acting-Coroner finally adjourned the enquiry until the body of the third man was recovered, as the men employed in the work were required as witnesses. He further adds that he had explored the tunnel from end to end during that day; that the work of clearing away the fallen timber and rocks is one of considerable danger and difficulty; and that it may be some days yet before the remains of Lloyd are found. Thirteen witnesses are already subpoenaed, and the number may be further increased, for it is said some evidence is to the cause of this lamentable affair will be forthcoming
ACCIDENT IN A TUNNEL - THREE MEN BURIED
Information was received in town last night that a dreadful accident had happened in a tunnel on the Wellington and Manawatu railway works - that the tunnel had fallen in and that several men were buried beneath the debris. The news of the mishap was telephoned to town by Mr S. Brown's overseer, Mr Laughton, but no particulars were then given. Later on, however, some details were sent through, and from these we glean the following particulars:- A party of twelve men were working in the No. 8 tunnel, situated between Pukerua and Paikakariki. The stuff they had been removing in order to widen the ends of the tunnel was composed of rotten rock and the walls and sides had to be timbered until the brick lining could be effected. Yesterday afternoon the men had removed some of the planks from the roof, when, without much warning, the heavy timbers gave way and the roof of the tunnel caved in. Nine of the men succeeded in reaching a place of safety before the earth came down, but three men were buried beneath the debris, viz., Peter de George, Henry Lloyd and Matthew Panzadetti. Mr Laughton having been sent for, relays of men were at once put on to clear the tunnel and rescue if possible the men entombed. After much labour the workers heard the faint voice of Panzadetti, who said he was free from earth and could move his limbs. He further said he could hear groans from a man buried beneath another block of earth behind him. Mr Laughton then telephoned to town for medical assistance, and Mr Gillon was last night despatched by the s.s. Tui for Pukerua Bay, where he expected to be landed at midnight. The steamer was about to start thither with material and Dr Gillon, with commendable promptitude, hastened on board with a view to rendering surgical aid if necessary. Meanwhile those at the scene of the accident made every preparation for the reception of the men should they be brought out alive.
Our own correspondent at Paikakariki, writing last night, says:- At half past 3 this afternoon a serious, and it is feared fatal, accident happened in what is known as No. 8 tunnel on Mr S. Brown's contract, on the West Coast Railway, the Pukerua-Paikakriki section. In this tunnel the drive had been put through, and the shift were employed in breaking out or enlarging the opening to the full size, when without the slightest warning two sets of timer, representing a length of 24 feet of the tunnel, fell in, completely burying in the fall, three of the men engaged - Peter De George (an Italian), Matlio Panzadetti (an Austrian) and Harry Lloyd (a native of Lancashire). Every effort is now being made, under the direction of Mr J. Laughton, the manager, to effect the liberation of the unfortunate men, who, up to the time of writing, have been buried over six hours. I have just returned from the scene of the accident, which is about three miles from Paikakariki, and at the time of my visit the rescuing party had got sufficiently near the sufferers to be able to speak to one at least - the man Panzadetti, a young fellow of about 20 - who said he was lying between some of the timber, that he could see the lights of the rescuers, but that he feared they would not reach him in time. Of the other men little is known. Groans can be heard at intervals, but whether they proceed from De George or Lloyd could not be ascertained. A large number of men are employed in the work of rescue and as only a few can be employed at once, arrangements have been made for the workers to be relieved at short intervals.
Peter De George is an old West Coast miner, well known in the Grey and Reefton district. The other men engaged on the 'shift' escaped uninjured. It may perhaps, be opportune to remark that each shift is under the guidance of an experienced and trustworthy miner, and the only reason for this unfortunate catastrophe is that the gound in this particular tunnel is of an unusually treacherous nature, being a loose salty drift
23 Jan 1885 THE PUKERUA TRAGEDY. Our Paikakariki correspondent writes under date Thursday evening that the enquiry into the cause of death of Peter de George was opened twice on that day, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., and that the Acting-Coroner finally adjourned the enquiry until the body of the third man was recovered, as the men employed in the work were required as witnesses. He further adds that he had explored the tunnel from end to end during that day; that the work of clearing away the fallen timber and rocks is one of considerable danger and difficulty; and that it may be some days yet before the remains of Lloyd are found. Thirteen witnesses are already subpoenaed, and the number may be further increased, for it is said some evidence is to the cause of this lamentable affair will be forthcoming
20 Jan 1885
ACCIDENT IN A TUNNEL - THREE MEN BURIED
Information was received in town last night that a dreadful accident had happened in a tunnel on the Wellington and Manawatu railway works - that the tunnel had fallen in and that several men were buried beneath the debris. The news of the mishap was telephoned to town by Mr S. Brown's overseer, Mr Laughton, but no particulars were then given. Later on, however, some details were sent through, and from these we glean the following particulars:- A party of twelve men were working in the No. 8 tunnel, situated between Pukerua and Paikakariki. The stuff they had been removing in order to widen the ends of the tunnel was composed of rotten rock and the walls and sides had to be timbered until the brick lining could be effected. Yesterday afternoon the men had removed some of the planks from the roof, when, without much warning, the heavy timbers gave way and the roof of the tunnel caved in. Nine of the men succeeded in reaching a place of safety before the earth came down, but three men were buried beneath the debris, viz., Peter de George, Henry Lloyd and Matthew Panzadetti. Mr Laughton having been sent for, relays of men were at once put on to clear the tunnel and rescue if possible the men entombed. After much labour the workers heard the faint voice of Panzadetti, who said he was free from earth and could move his limbs. He further said he could hear groans from a man buried beneath another block of earth behind him. Mr Laughton then telephoned to town for medical assistance, and Mr Gillon was last night despatched by the s.s. Tui for Pukerua Bay, where he expected to be landed at midnight. The steamer was about to start thither with material and Dr Gillon, with commendable promptitude, hastened on board with a view to rendering surgical aid if necessary. Meanwhile those at the scene of the accident made every preparation for the reception of the men should they be brought out alive.
Our own correspondent at Paikakariki, writing last night, says:- At half past 3 this afternoon a serious, and it is feared fatal, accident happened in what is known as No. 8 tunnel on Mr S. Brown's contract, on the West Coast Railway, the Pukerua-Paikakriki section. In this tunnel the drive had been put through, and the shift were employed in breaking out or enlarging the opening to the full size, when without the slightest warning two sets of timer, representing a length of 24 feet of the tunnel, fell in, completely burying in the fall, three of the men engaged - Peter De George (an Italian), Matlio Panzadetti (an Austrian) and Harry Lloyd (a native of Lancashire). Every effort is now being made, under the direction of Mr J. Laughton, the manager, to effect the liberation of the unfortunate men, who, up to the time of writing, have been buried over six hours. I have just returned from the scene of the accident, which is about three miles from Paikakariki, and at the time of my visit the rescuing party had got sufficiently near the sufferers to be able to speak to one at least - the man Panzadetti, a young fellow of about 20 - who said he was lying between some of the timber, that he could see the lights of the rescuers, but that he feared they would not reach him in time. Of the other men little is known. Groans can be heard at intervals, but whether they proceed from De George or Lloyd could not be ascertained. A large number of men are employed in the work of rescue and as only a few can be employed at once, arrangements have been made for the workers to be relieved at short intervals.
Peter De George is an old West Coast miner, well known in the Grey and Reefton district. The other men engaged on the 'shift' escaped uninjured. It may perhaps, be opportune to remark that each shift is under the guidance of an experienced and trustworthy miner, and the only reason for this unfortunate catastrophe is that the gound in this particular tunnel is of an unusually treacherous nature, being a loose salty drift
23 Jan 1885 THE PUKERUA TRAGEDY. Our Paikakariki correspondent writes under date Thursday evening that the enquiry into the cause of death of Peter de George was opened twice on that day, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., and that the Acting-Coroner finally adjourned the enquiry until the body of the third man was recovered, as the men employed in the work were required as witnesses. He further adds that he had explored the tunnel from end to end during that day; that the work of clearing away the fallen timber and rocks is one of considerable danger and difficulty; and that it may be some days yet before the remains of Lloyd are found. Thirteen witnesses are already subpoenaed, and the number may be further increased, for it is said some evidence is to the cause of this lamentable affair will be forthcoming
ACCIDENT IN A TUNNEL - THREE MEN BURIED
Information was received in town last night that a dreadful accident had happened in a tunnel on the Wellington and Manawatu railway works - that the tunnel had fallen in and that several men were buried beneath the debris. The news of the mishap was telephoned to town by Mr S. Brown's overseer, Mr Laughton, but no particulars were then given. Later on, however, some details were sent through, and from these we glean the following particulars:- A party of twelve men were working in the No. 8 tunnel, situated between Pukerua and Paikakariki. The stuff they had been removing in order to widen the ends of the tunnel was composed of rotten rock and the walls and sides had to be timbered until the brick lining could be effected. Yesterday afternoon the men had removed some of the planks from the roof, when, without much warning, the heavy timbers gave way and the roof of the tunnel caved in. Nine of the men succeeded in reaching a place of safety before the earth came down, but three men were buried beneath the debris, viz., Peter de George, Henry Lloyd and Matthew Panzadetti. Mr Laughton having been sent for, relays of men were at once put on to clear the tunnel and rescue if possible the men entombed. After much labour the workers heard the faint voice of Panzadetti, who said he was free from earth and could move his limbs. He further said he could hear groans from a man buried beneath another block of earth behind him. Mr Laughton then telephoned to town for medical assistance, and Mr Gillon was last night despatched by the s.s. Tui for Pukerua Bay, where he expected to be landed at midnight. The steamer was about to start thither with material and Dr Gillon, with commendable promptitude, hastened on board with a view to rendering surgical aid if necessary. Meanwhile those at the scene of the accident made every preparation for the reception of the men should they be brought out alive.
Our own correspondent at Paikakariki, writing last night, says:- At half past 3 this afternoon a serious, and it is feared fatal, accident happened in what is known as No. 8 tunnel on Mr S. Brown's contract, on the West Coast Railway, the Pukerua-Paikakriki section. In this tunnel the drive had been put through, and the shift were employed in breaking out or enlarging the opening to the full size, when without the slightest warning two sets of timer, representing a length of 24 feet of the tunnel, fell in, completely burying in the fall, three of the men engaged - Peter De George (an Italian), Matlio Panzadetti (an Austrian) and Harry Lloyd (a native of Lancashire). Every effort is now being made, under the direction of Mr J. Laughton, the manager, to effect the liberation of the unfortunate men, who, up to the time of writing, have been buried over six hours. I have just returned from the scene of the accident, which is about three miles from Paikakariki, and at the time of my visit the rescuing party had got sufficiently near the sufferers to be able to speak to one at least - the man Panzadetti, a young fellow of about 20 - who said he was lying between some of the timber, that he could see the lights of the rescuers, but that he feared they would not reach him in time. Of the other men little is known. Groans can be heard at intervals, but whether they proceed from De George or Lloyd could not be ascertained. A large number of men are employed in the work of rescue and as only a few can be employed at once, arrangements have been made for the workers to be relieved at short intervals.
Peter De George is an old West Coast miner, well known in the Grey and Reefton district. The other men engaged on the 'shift' escaped uninjured. It may perhaps, be opportune to remark that each shift is under the guidance of an experienced and trustworthy miner, and the only reason for this unfortunate catastrophe is that the gound in this particular tunnel is of an unusually treacherous nature, being a loose salty drift
23 Jan 1885 THE PUKERUA TRAGEDY. Our Paikakariki correspondent writes under date Thursday evening that the enquiry into the cause of death of Peter de George was opened twice on that day, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., and that the Acting-Coroner finally adjourned the enquiry until the body of the third man was recovered, as the men employed in the work were required as witnesses. He further adds that he had explored the tunnel from end to end during that day; that the work of clearing away the fallen timber and rocks is one of considerable danger and difficulty; and that it may be some days yet before the remains of Lloyd are found. Thirteen witnesses are already subpoenaed, and the number may be further increased, for it is said some evidence is to the cause of this lamentable affair will be forthcoming
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