Dreadful Collison accident
--
Two Hundred Men and Boys Buried in a Pit-- An accident buried two hundred persons in a coal pit, near
Shields,
England, on the 16th instant.
The correspondent of the
Manchester Guardlad telegraph on the 17th:
"I have just returned from Hartley New Pit where two hundred men and lads are buried.
The shaft has been closed up through the huge beam of the pumping engine falling down the pit yesterday.
It carried the timber and the wood work down, and thus blocked the up and down cast shafts.
The falling timber killed five out of eight men who were being drawn up in a cage at the time.
The men and lads working below at the time of the accident have been buried forty-eight hours, notwithstanding the greatest exertions to relieve them on the part of the ablest men in the coal trade.
The working seam is filling with water, and no doubt the horses, which are worth five hundred pounds, are already drowned.
The men and lads, however, could escape by means of a ladder to the yard seam, which is forty-nine fathoms higher, and out of reach of water.
Men have been heard trying to clear the obstruction in the shaft from below to-night, and no doubt is entertained that they are all out of danger of water at least.
Means have been employed for securing good ventilation, and I was assured by the best authorities before I left to-night that the strongest hopes may be entertained that the yard seam would be reached, and the men and lads rescued before mooring Great excitement prevails, and numerous pitmen's wives have been at the pit mouth watching since last night.
The three men saved hung by the cage in the shaft eight hours before they were rescued."
