Biography

William Langford, employed on the Young Australian claim, was engaged sinking a new shaft, and at a depth of 4ft had drilled two holes, and charged them. He lit the fuse of the first charge, and lost too much time in lighting the other. The charge exploded while he was in a kneeling position, and blew him clean out of the shaft. One leg was smashed to a pulp, and he was generally battered about all over. Everything possible was done to assist the unfortunate man and to staunch the bleeding. The patient was placed on a stretcher in a cart, and driven off to the Malcolm Hospital where he survived for 3 days subsequent to the accident.