On 2 May 1914, an explosion occurred at the Great Extended Hustler’s Mine in Bendigo, Victoria. The explosion killed the seven men working on the 13th level of the mine who were at a depth of 321 metres. A number of other men working further below were injured as a result of the fumes generated by an air compressor which had been damaged in the explosion. They were also trapped underground for some time, unable to move due to thick smoke.