UPPER SHOTOVER.
(from our own correspondent )
Skippers, 18th February. I am sorry to have to record one of the most melancholy accidents which has occurred in our district for many years, resulting in the death of as fine a specimen of manhood as ever stood upright in New Zealand, and which accident nearly proved fatal to two others. On Monday morning about 9 o'clock the whole of the terraces resounded with the screeches of women, half frantic with fright and calling for help. As usual in our locality every man within hearing was on his mettle and at once made for the scene of the accident, a place most difficult of access, it being in a gorge of Stoney Creek. On one side of the mountain were to be seen men and women running along a narrow sheep track which would at any other time have made the boldest nervous ere he ventured ; others took the creek on a face, crossing and re-crossing, climbing over immense rocks — all anxious to render assistance. The writer happened to be amongst the last mentioned. Those on the high tracks got there in goodly numbers first. The scene of the accident was a claim on a small terrace, worked by three brothers, named James Egan, Michael, Egan and William Egan, and by another miner named James Fitzgerald. From all accounts they went into the claim on that morning and commenced to draw out timber to put into a fresh place — a thing that cannot be too much censured, more especially when attempted by men not thoroughly experienced. Two of the brothers, Michael and William, were sitting under a cap piece, while the third man, James Fitzgerald, was poking out the legs of another cap ahead ; as soon as the legs started the cap behind canted and fell amongst the men. burying William Egan and James Fitzgerald — Michael having a very narrow escape. The unfortunate man, William, who was only partially buried with debris at first, could speak strongly and told Michael to call James, but fear took a strong hold of him and he lost valuable time in running for assistance. I may mention that three out of the number were married, and their wives could see something was wrong.
Mrs Michael Egan started off leaving the young infant behind and was the means of bringing on to the ground the help so much needed. The men started with a will and got at the body of the youngest man William Egan but life had been extinct some time, the debris was still coming down as fast as the men could shovel, no more than four being able to work at one time — and in about three hours James Fitzgerald was brought to the surface very much bruised and completely exhausted; in fact ten minutes more would have sealed his fate. Everything was done for the survivor by friends and neighbors, and he is now in a fair way of recovery. There were two of the rescuers well deserving.of praise and that was Mr T. Connor, Storekeeper, and a young Dane, Mr Glanville, who never left the work from first to last. Both came to the surface completely exhausted with their efforts, The body of Wm. Egan was removed to Mr Connor's residence on Stoney Creek Terrace — and after some time the friends and relations of the poor fellow followed, the bereaved widow and two children (twins) being amongst the number.
I will not conclude without a word of praise in another direction and that is to the Rev. Father McKay. The messenger sent from here left at two p.m.— reached Queenstown; found his reverence was in the Arrow; he telegraphed to him, and two and a half hours from the receipt of the telegram he stood at the sick man's bedside. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 21/2/1878.
 |
| Queenstown Cemetery. |
No comments:
Post a Comment