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TUNNEL COLLAPSE - TWO DEAD, ONE INJURED*

A sad and fatal accident happened at the Alum Mountain, Bullahdelah, on Friday August 18th (1909), causing the death of two miners, Mr. Stephen Crockford and Mr. Charles Keel, and causing severe injuries to Mr. Patrick Kelly.

It appears that a gang of miners were working in one of the tunnels when one of the sides of the tunnel fell in, completely burying Charles Keel, and causing such injuries to Stephen Crockford that he died a few hours after being removed to his home.

Patrick Kelly sustained a broken leg and severe injuries to knee and body. Several of the miners had just left the tunnel previous to the accident, and fortunately escaped. One of the miners, William Godwin, had a most miraculous escape, the fall having just escaped him.

After the miners had recovered from the shock, they at once, with the assistance of other miners on the Mountain, removed Crockford and Kelly, from the tunnel, by which time assistance had come from the township, when first aid was promptly given to Crockford and Kelly, and they were removed to stretchers to their homes.

Two miners and some of the townsmen then commenced the work of rescuing Charles Keel, who was entombed by rocks and debris, this work was very dangerous. With the faint hope that they might be able to rescue Keel alive, and heedless of the danger they themselves were in, the willing band worked like Trojans, after 2 hours were successful in reaching the body, but, alas, life was extinct, the poor fellow being crushed to death.

Dr. Bowker was summoned from Stroud, and he attended to the injuries of Patrick Kelly. Having set the broken leg and attended to his other injuries, the doctor ordered his immediate removal to Dungog Hospital, where Mr. Joseph Newell, proprietor of the butter factory, conveyed him on Saturday.

Mrs. Kelly and two children and Mr. A. Maybury accompanied him in the wagon, and our earnest hope is that the poor sufferer will speedily recover.

Rev. M. J. Perry, (Methodist), who is specially good at first aid, gave his valued services to Kelly shortly after the accident, and up to the time of his removal to Dungog.

Constable Williams was early on the scene, and carried out his arduous duties in an excellent manner.

THE INQUEST

The inquest on the bodies of Stephen Crockford and Charles Keel was opened in the Courthouse, Bullahdelah, before Mr. C. Mclntyre, Coroner, and a jury of twelve. Mr. G. Collins, a solicitor from Stroud, appeared on behalf of the relatives of Crockford and Keel, and also in the interests of Kelly. Constable Williams conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police.

Evidence of identification having been given, Mr. Edwards, on behalf of the Alum Company, applied for remand of the inquest. Mr. Collins asked that a mining expert be sent from the Mines Department to view the scene of the accident.

The Coroner informed Mr. Collins that he would make application to the Department as asked, and ordered that the tunnel be left in its present condition till Monday, August 23.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral of the two deceased took place on Sunday afternoon. Their remains were conveyed from the deceased's late homes to the Church of England, where the Rev. A. J. Bongers delivered a solemn and impressive sermon.

The funeral then proceeded to the Bullahdelah cemetery, and was the largest that has been seen here, being three quarters of a mile long. At the graveside the funeral service was conducted by Rev. A. J. Bongers (Church of England) and Rev. J. Perry (Methodist).

At the close of Rev. Bongers address, he paid a high tribute to the heroic conduct of those who at the risk of their own lives worked so hard to rescue Charles Keel. The scene at the graveside was heartrending. Mrs. Keel, wife of deceased, was a daughter of Stephen Crockford.

THE INQUIRY**

The inquiry concerning the deaths of Stephen Crockford and Charles Keel, who were killed by a fall of 100 tons of rock while working in a quarry at Alum Mountain on the 14th instant was continued on Tuesday before the Coroner, Mr. Mclntyre. Mr. G. V. Collins, of Stroud, watched the interests of the widow, Mr. A. G. F. James. M. L. A., appeared as counsel for the Australian Alum Company, and Inspector Milne represented the Mines Department.

The witnesses stated that they had not complained to the manager that the quarry was dangerous, but had spoken among them, and regarded it as unsafe.

Mr. J. Edwards, general manager, stated that he gave instructions for the men to be withdrawn from that part of the quarry where the fall occurred.

A mining expert's evidence stated that the quarry could have been more skilfully worked, and thus possibly the accident avoided.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and added a rider that this and other quarries should be under Government Supervision.

 *Source: "The Raymond Terrace Examiner", August 20th, 1909