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A fatal accident occurred at Mellanear mine on Friday to John Dunstan , of High Lanes. Deceased was 26, and leaves a wife and two children. He was working with six others at the bottom of Gundry's shaft in the 90 fathom level when about three tons of earth fell and buried him killing him instantly. The other man had an extremely narrow escape. After much difficulty Dunstan was dug out and brought to surface, the body being subsequently conveyed to his home to await an inquest . That inquest was held at the White Hart hotel, on Monday morning by Mr Grenfell, the county coroner.
The jury, of whom Mr J. P. Smith was foreman after being sworn, proceeded to the house to view the body.
On their returning evidence was given by Henry Martin, of Lelant, and James Oates, of Mellanear, who stated that the deceased and the former witness were working at the 100 fathom level in Mellanear. They blasted a hole; and, ten minutes after it exploded and the smoke cleared, they went back and examined the ground, which they considered perfectly safe. They commenced to clear away the burden, but in a short time about a ton of ground fell away from above and knocked down the deceased, a large rock of about ten or twelve hundredweight falling on his chest and head and killing him instantly. Assistance was called and the body taken to the surface.
Mr Martin, Government inspector, stated that he had examined the part; where the accident had occurred, and considered it the safest portion of the mine. He thought no blame could be attached to anyone, it being quite an accident.
A verdict that ' Deceased was accidentally killed by the ground falling on him ' was then returned.