Hyder Weekly Herald

MINER KILLED AT PREMIER

Alto Lazze, a miner engaged in running a raise in the Premier Mine was fatally injured by an exploding round of shots in the mine workings early Monday morning and died at 2 p. m. Monday afternoon in the Premier hospital.

As the unfortunate man was alone in the raise at the time, no one knows the full details of the accident, beyond that Lazzo had fired a round of 15 holes and was on his way to shelter and safety when the shots exploded.

A mucker whose name could not be learned, was at work in a short drift below the bulkhead but could give no information beyond that he looked up the raise a few minutes before the accident occurred and saw Lazze coming down. The deceased was then only a few feet from the drift. He says he spoke to Lazze and was told by the latter that he had "spit," meaning that he had lighted the fuses.

A few moments later Lazze appeared at the entrance to the drift and was in the act of entering when the blast occurred. According to the helper the concussion was so great that he was lifted bodily and hurled to the far end of the drift, sustaining slight bruises and scratches but no serious injury. He heard only one shot, he says, and does not know what happened afterward.

Lazze at that moment had thrust his lower limbs into the shelter of the drift and was in the act of entering. According to the mucker's statement, Lazze seemed in no great hurry and appeared to believe that he had ample time to escape. This has suggested the surmise that the blast occurred somewhat prematurely, possibly as a result of Lazze cutting the fuse too short or because of defective fuse.

The raise in which the accident occurred is a new working being run between No. 4 and No. 6 levels. Although surviving for more than twelve hours after the accident, Lazze's injuries were of a character that would usually cause almost instantaneous death, his head being crushed and his back and shoulders severely lacerated, one arm being almost torn from the body.

The deceased was an Italian and had the reputation of being one of the best miners on the Premier crew. He was aged about 40 years and is survived by a brother, who is also employed by the Premier Company, and other relatives.

The remains were brought to town Tuesday evening and placed in charge of undertaker Merl Thomas and will be shipped to Prince Rupert for burial Thursday.