The Chain Hills tunnel was one of two which were dug in the 1870s to connect Dunedin with the Taieri Plain and form part of what was initially known as the Clutha Railway. It is now, after a long process, soon to be part of a cycle trail which will be the most scenic way to enter the city of Dunedin from the south. Photos of the tunnel as it looks today can be found here.
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| Dunedin portal of the Chain Hills Tunnel. Hocken Library photo. |
ACCIDENT AT THE CHAIN HILLS TUNNEL.
TWO MEN KILLED.
A serious accident happened at the Chain Hills Tunnel this morning, resulting in the instant death of two men employed on the work. The accident happened at the north, or top end of the tunnel, and this side is divided into three shifts (that to which the accident occurred consisting of fifteen men), under the direction of Mr Kerr. From what we could learn, it appears that about seven o’clock this morning Thomas Kerr (foreman), Patrick Dempsey, Geo. Turnage, and Wedlock, and others commenced working on the tunnel, and after they had been so engaged for about an hour, some seven or eight feet of bluestone fell from the roof of the tunnel, covering the four men named. Wedlock and Turnage were the first to be got out, and as both were seriously injured, they were immediately taken to the Hospital; the others must have been instantly killed, for when their bodies were uncovered, life was extinct. Kerr's head was split open from the right eye across the temple, and his neck was broken; Dempsey’s skull was split open about 3in. wide behind the right temple and across the face to the left eye. The upper portion of the head was almost severed from the lower part, and a more complete disfiguration could hardly be imagined, while any attempt at identification of the features would be altogether out of the question. Kerr’s watch, which was broken, had stopped at five minutes past eight. Kerr was a married and his wife and seven children reside at Fairfield, close by, and his eldest daughter was working within a very short distance of the scene of the accident. He was about forty years of age, had been fourteen years in the district, had been working at the tunnel for about twelve mouths and was greatly respected. Dempsey was about thirty years of age. In his purse was found a ticket for admission to the hospital, bearing his name.
William F. Pattison, who was in charge of the shift, saw the stone after it fell, and uncovered the men at the risk of his own life, as the stone continued falling after they were got out. The tunnel was timbered within five feet of where the men were killed, and bricked to within twenty feet; this would be about seven chains from the mouth of the tunnel. Sergeant-Major Bevan, from Dunedin, was almost immediately on the spot, and had the bodies removed to Jenkins’s Rose, Shamrock, and Thistle Hotel where an inquest will probably be held to-morrow. The saddest part of he affair is that Dempsey, Wedlock, and Turnage only went to the works for the first time an hour before the accident occurred, and all had been thoroughly enjoying themselves at a ball held at Green Island on the previous night. About sixty men are now working in the tunnel and after the accident work was immediately suspended. On making inquiries at the Hospital this afternoon, we learned from the injured men that no warning was given of the ground falling. Wedlock has his right leg broken, Turnage both legs broken, one being a compound fracture. He is besides very much cut and bruised about the head. -Evening Star, 10/2/1875.
Telegrams
Dunedin, Feb. 11. It was stated at the Hospital this morning that Fredk. Turrage and Thos. Wedlock, who were seriously injured by the fall of seven or eight feet of bluestone from the roof of the Chain Hills tunnel on the Clutha line, were getting on as well as can be expected under the circumstances. Wedlock has his right leg broken; Turnage’s legs are broken, one being a compound fracture, and he has also several severe cuts on the head. It is expected that Wedlock will soon recover, but the same favourable hopes are not entertained as regards Turnage. An inquest on the bodies of Thomas Kerr and Patrick Dempsey will be held at Green Island at two o’clock to-day. Kerr’s head was split-open from the right eye across the temple, and his neck was broken. Dempsey’s skull was split open about three inches wide, and the upper part of the head was almost severed from the lower. Dempsy, Wedlock, and Turnage went to work only an hour before the accident occurred, and all three had been enjoying themselves at a ball at Green Island on the previous evening. -Lyttelton Tinmes, 12/2/1875.
Telegrams
Dunedin, Feb. 12, An inquest was held at Green Island yesterday touching the death of Thomas Kerr and Patrick Dempsey, killed by a fall of stone the previous day at the Chain Hills tunnel. From the evidence of Mr W. F. Patterson, miners Dempsey and Turridge were two of four strange men who went to work at the tunnel on Wednesday. At 8 am. that day witness heard a noise as from a blast and proceeded to the spot. Turridge had just been extricated from the stone, Wedlock had a rock on his leg. It was removed with crowbars. Dempsey's head was smashed, and Kerr was covered with rock. While witness had Kerr in his arms a fresh fall of earth took place, separating them and again burying Kerr. No warning was received that the ground was weak, nor was anything suspicious observed. It was the business of the men to ascertain whether the ground was safe. Mr A. J. Smythe, agent for Messrs Brogden, said he had entrusted the control of the work to Kerr, who was an experienced miner, and instructions were given that all possible care should be taken to guard against accidents. He had suggested to Kerr on the previous week that it would be more economical to adopt the top heading. The Coroner said the fact of no accident having previously occurred was a proof that considerable care was taken. The occurrence was evidently one of pure accident. A verdict of accidental death was returned. -Star, 13/2/1875.
The unfortunate men, Thomas Kerr and Peter Dempsey, who were killed at the Chain Hills tunnel on Wednesday, were buried yesterday at the Green Island Cemetery. The Rev. Mr Watt read the funeral service. The funeral was attended by a large number of relatives and friends of the deceased men, and nearly all the men employed about the tunnel. A movement is on foot for the relief of Kerr's family. -Otago Daily Times, 13/2/1875.
Peter Dempsey was not buried at Green Island, but in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery. Thomas Kerr's widow, Janet, was buried beside him 47 years after her husband's death, in 1922.
It will be seen from an announcement elsewhere that an entertainment, consisting of a concert and dance, is to take place at the Temperance Hall on Thursday week. The entertainment is to be held with a view of aiding a labourer named George Turnage, who was crippled for life at the Chain Hills tunnel some few months ago, and who has just left the Hospital. There will be a well selected programme, and performers who are favourites with Dunedin audiences. These recommendations, together with the charitable object for which the concert is to be given, and the attractions of a dance, should be sufficient to draw a good house. The Artillery Band have given their patronage, and will play selections. Mr John Moran, on account of the entertainment being for a charitable object, has cheerfully given his valuable services, though, he has to leave the Province on the following day. -Otago Daily Times, 13/6/1875.
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Green Island Cemetery. DCC photo.
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