Rescuers begin the job of removing bodies within the mine, Brunner mining disaster
Rescuers begin the job of removing bodies within the mine, Brunner mining disaster
[1896]
On 26 Mar. 1896 disaster struck as an explosion at the mouth of the main drive of the mine left 67 miners entombed. Round the clock rescue parties took several days to unearth the bodies of the men, some being so badly mutilated that only clothing or a distinguishing mark could make for identification. The mine had been idle for four or five days and it was presumed that gas had accumulated to a dangerous level. Fifty bodies were interred in the Stillwater Cemetery, one mass grave containing thirty three. The remainder were buried in the Greymouth Cemetery. See Disaster at Brunner : the coalmine tragedy at Brunnerton N.Z., 2 March 1896 / Brian Wood
Included in the photograph are Constable Beattie, John Coulthard, Dan Young, Joe Strong, Mr McKenzie, Samuel Kean, A. Smith, Crofter McKenzie, William Stevens, Mr O'Donnell, Joe Noble and Jack Southard
File Reference CCL-KPCD02-0072
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