Murton Colliery

1838 - The sinking of the Murton Colliery was commenced in the early part of the year, under the supervision of Mr. Edward Potter, for Colonel Bradyll and Partners, forming the South Hetton Coal Company two pits, each 14 ft. in diameter, being carried forward simultaneously at a spot where it had been ascertained by boring that the limestone was 456 ft. thick, and the bed of sand beneath 30 to ft. thick. The water encountered on piercing the limestone was tubbed off so that immediately previous to the sand being reached the shaft was free from water. On the first shaft approaching the quicksand on 26 June, 1839, the bottom of the pit blew up like a blast, and a deluge of sand and water was thrown up and rose to a height of 100 ft.

1838, Feb 19 - Murton Colliery, East Pit, was commenced and put down from the surface to the Hutton Seam.

1840 - Commenced to sink the Murton Middle Pit.

1840, Jul 06 - Commenced to sink the West Pit, Murton Colliery, this shaft went down to the Hutton Seam, but was not finished until 17 February, 1847.

1867 - Sunk a staple from the Main Coal to the Hutton Seam at Murton Colliery.

1960, Jan 02 - Part of Hawthorn Combined Mine

1974 - Elemore colliery closed, 140 men transferred to Murton

1981 - Blackhall colliery closed, men transferred to Murton

1982 - South Hetton colliery closed, men transferred to Murton

Abbott, John S., 02 Apr 1941, aged 49, Bargain Man, killed by a fall of stone

Adamson, G., 14 Aug 1936, aged 14, Five-Quarter

Adamson, Joseph, 28 Sep 1928, (accident: 15 Sep 1928), aged 15, Run Rider, crushed

Allen, Thomas, 30 Jul 1851, aged 51, Rolleywayman, he was run over and killed in the Polka Pit - he had been repairing the rolley-way when he was hit by a train of rolleys, his attention having been diverted by a train travelling in the opposite direction

Ambler, H., 21 Jun 1955, Five-Quarter

Ambler, Robert, 08 Jan 1870, aged 15, Putter, crushed by tubs

Anderson, Robert, 01 Aug 1944, aged 18, Incline Man

Andrews, Frank, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 29, Stoneman, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Archbold, Isaac, 22 Apr 1876, aged 45, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Hetton

Armstrong, G. W. L., 01 Nov 1917, Low Main

Aynsley, F., 21 Feb 1903, Main Coal

Bacon, Thomas William, 23 Jan 1911, aged 14, Driver [More information ...]

Bailey, Vernon George Johnson, 22 Nov 1958, (accident: 23 Oct 1956), aged 36, he suffered a fracture and dislocation of the spine in a fall of stone in the Harvey seam on 23 Oct 1956; paralysed from the waist down; attended Stoke Mundeville Hospital for nine months; he died in Sunderland Royal Infirmary from blood poisoning following bed sores and a kidney disorder

Barker, Edward, 19 Dec 1882, aged 46, Labourer, crushed and killed between two trucks in the coke yard at Murton Colliery

Barlow, Robert, 18 May 1940, aged 29, Pipe Fiter, caught by set, found with an injury to his head, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Barnett, Thomas W., 08 Feb 1942, aged 53, Brickworks

Barney, William, 06 Oct 1859, aged 72, Wasteman, crushed by tubs in self acting incline

Barron, Wheatley, 10 Jun 1900, aged 40, Deputy, Died to-day from alleged inhaling of gas in pit on March 29th last. At inquest there was no evidence of his having worked where gas was, and the medical evidence showed that he died from pneumonia set up by natural causes.

Bartlett, Arthur B., 01 Apr 1903, aged 13, Driver, when walking out-bye, on engine plane, he was caught by the empty set and killed [More information ...]

Bartlett, William, 02 Apr 1875, aged 70, Shifter, crushed by tub

Bate, Thomas Bennett, 25 Mar 1916, (accident: 23 Mar 1916), aged 54, Hewer, died on Saturday 25th March as a result of injuries received two days earlier while working in the East Pit ; some stone had come away from the roof and struck him on the head and arms; the cause of death was given as 'softening of the brain, septic infection of the bladder and kidneys, resulting from the accident'

Beamson, R., 23 Mar 1899, aged 58, Hewer, When in lamp cabin getting his lamp examined, he fell over and died from syncope.

Bell, Thomas, 04 Jun 1905, aged 51, Deputy, died suddenly of heart disease in the mine [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Bennett, R., 18 Aug 1940, Aerial Flight

Besom, Matthew, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 16, killed in the 1848 explosion [More information ...]

Best, Matthew, 28 Aug 1851, aged 12, Rolley Driver, crushed by the coal tubs

Best, Robert, 31 Oct 1860, aged 17, Coupler, crushed by cage [More information ...]

Best, Thomas, 05 Sep 1868, aged 36, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Beveridge, John, 11 Apr 1893, aged 18, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Black, Jonathan, 02 Mar 1896, (accident: 14 Feb 1896), aged 48, Winding Engineman, While cleaning one of the engine-house windows he fell out a distance of 19 feet on to the branches. Died March 2nd

Blackmore, E., 23 Jun 1911, Main Coal

Blackmore, Harry, 14 Nov 1919, aged 67, Shaftman, fell down shaft, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Bloomfield, Richard, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 20, Miner, killed in the 1848 explosion, unmarried [More information ...]

Bowey, Thomas, 21 Apr 1891, 9:30 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 22, Hewer, fall of coal while hewing in a place he had no business to be in [More information ...]

Bradwell, Charles, 08 Jun 1914, (accident: 20 May 1914), aged 57, Wasteman

Bray, John, 10 Dec 1894, 12:30 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 38, Hewer, Died from heart disease on main rolleyway, while on his way home from his work [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Brigers, J., 23 Jun 1894, Main Coal

Brown, George, 17 Mar 1879, aged 27, Collier, fall of roof while nicking top coal through in a broken jud

Brown, Thomas, 20 Jan 1936, aged 39, Hewer, crushed by tubs, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Brown, Thomas, 19 Apr 1955, aged 58, Surface Worker, died at home due to heart failure and chronic bronchitis accelerated by pneumonicosis, he had started work at the pit when he was 14, in 1940 he fractured his spine in a pit accident and was off work 6 months

Bryers, Thomas, 23 Jan 1894, 5:45 p.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 34, Timber Drawer, Fall of stone while drawing a jud., Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Bullock, J., 21 May 1898, Main Coal

Bulmer, John, 03 Aug 1859, aged 22, Mason, killed by a fall of stone

Burdess, William, 23 Sep 1896, (accident: 21 Sep 1896), aged 19, Landing Lad, Crushed internally by empty tubs. When the empty set was going into the landing the first two tubs overran the tail-rope, and got off the way and caught him. Died on the 23rd [More information ...]

Burnip, Jonathan, 11 Nov 1924, (accident: 29 Oct 1924, 8.30 p.m., 2ndnd hour of shift), aged 68, Assistant Traffic Manager, In the shaft siding, near where the full road crosses the empty, deceased was lowering four empty tubs when they collided with eight full tubs which were gravitating towards the shaft. He was crushed in some way and sustained a fractured femur. He developed pneumonia following the injury and died 14 days later

Caddoe, Henry, 01 Dec 1866, aged 14, Driver, crushed by tubs in incline plane

Calvert, John, 21 Jan 1911, aged 55, Gatewayman, along with another man, he was engaged in building a soft wood chock near the face in a longwall gateway; whilst sawing wood a flag of ramble stone fell on to him, inflicting injuries from which he died the same night; the stone should either have been taken down or securely propped, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Canterdale, J., 08 Jul 1921, Belt engine

Carr, Henry, 08 Sep 1874, aged 44, Shaftman, he fell from loop while examining shaft

Carr, James, 29 Jan 1853, aged 25, he was crushed to death by a large stone which fell from the roof in the Polka Pit

Carton, J., 05 Jan 1939

Chapman, Robert, 29 Sep 1960, aged 23, killed in the Hutton seam (approximate date)

Charlton, Thomas, 23 Jun 1892, 9:30 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 22, Hewer, fall of top coal ; he had worked the fast sides, let it loose, and neglected to set props before going to work under it [More information ...]

Chisholm, Ralph, 19 Apr 1929, aged 60, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Clark, James, 23 Nov 1910, aged 17, Clerk, He was passing through an open space between two sets of full waggons, when the locomotive joined up against the other end of one set, and he was crushed between the buffers. The guard was standing near signalling to the driver with his lamp, it being nearly midnight, and did not see deceased

Clarke, Thomas, 31 Aug 1871, aged 35, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Collings, Isaac, 21 Oct 1929, aged 38, he committed suicide by jumping down the shaft; he was sitting with some other men waiting to descend, when he suddenly ran to the gate and deliberately threw himself into the shaft

Collings, John, 06 Sep 1924, (accident: 15 Aug 1924), aged 46, Stoneman, fractured spine

Collins, Thomas, 12 Nov 1915, aged 39, killed in the Low Main seam, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Connock, Emmanuel, 15 Aug 1919, aged 23, Assistant Banksman, he was caught by an ascending cage of full tubs and so severely crushed that he died shortly afterwards

Cook, William, 05 May 1865, aged 39, Hewer, crushed by tubs in engine plane

Cook, William, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 53, Stoneman, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Coulson, George, 22 Dec 1891, (accident: 27 Nov 1891, 8:00 p.m., 7th hour of shift), aged 14, Driver, kicked in stomach by pony, inflammation of the bowels set in

Coulson, Thomas, 24 Apr 1891, 9:30 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 15, Landing Boy, while changing ropes at junction with a winch he gave a wrong signal, the engine started and the winch handle struck him on the head [More information ...]

Cowey, William, 13 Apr 1875, aged 49, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Cowley, George, 06 Sep 1893, 9:15 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 13, Driver, Head crushed between tub and prop.

Craggs, Thomas, 07 Nov 1894, 6:00 p.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 17, Landing Boy, Crushed by set getting of the way, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Crane, J., 26 Mar 1887, East Pit

Crombie, R., 23 Jun 1942, Five-Quarter

Crombie, Robert, 23 Jan 1943, aged 49, Stoneman, died in the Five Quarter Seam [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 23 Jan 1943 pg 4 col 1]

Crowder, Ralph, 24 Oct 1850, aged 23, Brakesman, he attempted to oil the cog wheels attached to the drum of the engine, whilst the latter was in motion, and had slipped his feet, and was crushed between the drum and the framework supporting it

Crowther, J., 21 Dec 1900, Main Coal

Cruise, Charles Oliver, 05 Jun 1882, aged 14, Driver, fell before tubs in a landing while riding on chain contrary to orders and was run over and killed, his father (James) was killed in the same pit 5 years later, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Cruise, James, 17 Oct 1887, (accident: 18 Mar 1887), aged 46, Stoneman, burnt by powder; while forcing a powder charge into a hole with rammer it exploded,, son (Charles Oliver) was killed in the same pit 5 years previously, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Cummings, Ernest B., 19 Feb 1942, aged 30, Drawer, caught by tubs

Cummings, Thomas, 18 Apr 1906, (accident: 05 Apr 1906), aged 18, Runrider, He was found by the master shifter lying by the side of the rolleyway. He had evidently fallen off the chain of the rope on which, as run-rider, he would have been riding. His skull and arm were broken, and he died thirteen days after the accident.

Cummings, Thomas, 01 Sep 1917, aged 16, address: 16 St. Andrews Terrace, Hesledon, Murton Colliery

Currow, Philip Conn Edward, 09 Feb 1903, aged 21, Putter, when hewing in one of the working places, during the change of the hewers shifts, a stone fell from the roof and killed him, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Curry, J. T., 29 Jul 1940, aged 45, Belt Keeper, crushed between tubs

Daglish, Stodart, 16 Mar 1928, aged 48, Timber Drawer, killed by a fall of stone, address: 13 Albion Street, Murton, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Daglish, Vincent, 18 Dec 1961, aged 37, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Dale, George, 30 Jan 1905, (accident: 26 Jan 1905), aged 56, Waggonman, while trying to uncouple some waggons which were moving about three miles an hour he got his foot fast in the tongue of a switch and a wagon went over his leg [More information ...]

Daley, James, 05 Jun 1850, aged 24, while working in Slingley Hill Flat of the Middle Pit at Murton Colliery he was crushed to death by a large stone 6 feet square and 20 inches thick

Davidson, J., 20 May 1935, Low Main

Davidson, Robert, 26 Nov 1851, aged 12, he, in company with another lad, had got on top of the cage to ride up and down the staple in the Polka Pit, he fell backwards and was crushed to death between the cage and rail

Davison, Keith, Dec 1974, aged 20, killed by locomotives (approximate date and age)

Davison, Matthew Taylor, 15 Oct 1932, (accident: 06 Oct 1932), aged 49, Stoneman, died at Sunderland Royal Infirmary from septic infection resulting from multiple injuries received when a large stone fell on him

Davison, Thomas, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 31, Stoneman, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Davison, William Wild, 06 Feb 1939, aged 53, Deputy, struck on head, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Dawson, Ralph, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 31, Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and four children [More information ...]

Dawson, Thomas, 18 Feb 1902, aged 18, Putter, riding out-bye on the full set, contrary to rules, the set got off the way and the main rope became detached ; the tubs then joined together and crushed these youths so severely that they afterwards died ; four other young men were at the same time severely injured, but they recovered [More information ...]

Dent, George, 13 Feb 1901, aged 36, Hewer, died in pit while following his employment from syncope; ventilation was all right

Dickenson, John, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 12, killed in the 1848 explosion [More information ...]

Dickinson, Martin, 21 Feb 1893, aged 33, Hewer, died from natural causes on the engine plane while going to his work [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Dixon, T., 06 Apr 1925, aged 16, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Dobey, George, 16 Dec 1906, (accident: 06 Dec 1906), aged 63, Labourer, He dropped the padlock as he opened the Colliery Yard gate, and when looking on the ground for it, the gate was blown to and hit him on the head. He died on December 16th.

Dodds, George, 11 Jun 1875, aged 25, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Donninson, Richard, 29 Nov 1902, (accident: 15 Oct 1902), aged 46, Timber Drawer, he was replacing broken props and strengthening a place preparatory to drawing all the timber out and when putting in a new prop, a large stone fell without any warning and severely injured his back

Downing, Timothy, 11 Mar 1864, aged 39, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Duffy, Hugh, 22 Sep 1922, aged 17, Pony Putter, crushed between tub and roof

Duffy, J., 13 Dec 1918, Hewer, overcome by fumes from underground fire [More information ...]

Duffy, P., 06 Nov 1942

Dullard, Peter, 08 May 1970, aged 36, Five-Quarter North, Buried: St. Josephs (R.C.) Church, Murton

Dunn, George, 05 Dec 1934, aged 64, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Easthaugh, William, 15 Aug 1916, Shifter, he had finished his shift and was ascending the shaft in the cage when he suddenly collapsed and died shortly after reaching the surface

Ellery, J., 02 Apr 1957

Elliot, William, 1985, aged 40, Billy died shortly after the end of the 1984/85 strike while a team of men tried to free the face chains that had become seized during the strike when trying the chains forward and reverse a number of times the chain snapped and the flight bar struck Bill's head

Elliott, Bartholomew, 02 Jun 1931, aged 68, Timer Drawer, after finishing his shift he walked to the shaft and had almost reached the queue of men waiting to ride to bank when he dropped his lamp and fell dead. Death was due to heart disease brought on by rheumatic fever

Elliott, Edward Blackmore, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 39, Stoneman, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Elliott, W. E., 14 Feb 1933, (accident: 29 Jun 1932), aged 32, Scalloper, killed by a fall of stone

Ellison, George, 06 Dec 1906, (accident: 10 Nov 1906), aged 57, Shifter, The empty set got off the way in a loading, and drew out some timber. He was sent to repair the place, and, whilst doing so, some more stone fell and caused severe injuries to him. He died December 6th.

Elwick, Vincent C., 20 Nov 1944, aged 36, Loader, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Emery, George Wilson, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 43, Filler, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Emery, John Head, 01 Jun 1960, aged 47, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Emery, Lancelot, 10 Jun 1885, aged 22, Hewer, fall of top coal which he had nicked through and not spragged

Fairs, Joseph, 01 Apr 1925, aged 25, Joiners Labourer, severe internal injuries through being struck by a set of timber legs which fell while being hoisted - accidental death [Inquest: 02 Apr 1925], Buried: Mere Knolls Cemetery, Sunderland

Farelly, John, 13 Nov 1907, aged 42, Coke-filler, caught between a coke truck and a chaldron waggon and fatally crushed

Feeley, Robert, 27 Mar 1895, 9:00 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 21, Hewer, fall of stone in working place

Fenwick, Henry Hall, 24 Sep 1936, aged 24, PipeFitter, killed while riding in the tubs, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Ferguson, J., 25 Nov 1889, Branches

Finn, Lawrence, 08 Dec 1888, (accident: 20 Sep 1888), aged 23, Hewer, severe blow on the chest by a large prop falling on him

Fisher, George, 12 Mar 1878, aged 29, Collier, fall of a large stone from between two slips in the rook, in broken workings, it crushed out the timer in falling

Foggerty, James, 29 Dec 1931, aged 45, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Foley, Thomas, 26 Apr 1862, aged 12, Door Keeper, knocked down by horse when opening his door

Foster, C., 04 Aug 1943, (accident: 02 Aug 1932), aged 57, Scalloper, killed by a fall of stone

Fox, James Dixon Barker, 18 Sep 1925, (accident: 12 Sep 1925), aged 37, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Franklin, John, 08 May 1873, aged 15, Putter, head crushed between tub and prop

Gallagher, Matthew, 20 Sep 1900, aged 37, Hewer, Crushed chest and blow on scalp caused by a fall of coal. [More information ...]

Gannon, A., 02 Aug 1899, Branches

Garrett, Joseph, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 50, Filler, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Gee, Joseph, 14 Mar 1937, (accident: 22 Feb 1937), aged 40, Cutter, died from injuries received

Gibson, I., 11 Jul 1939, Time Office

Gilroy, Samuel, 24 Nov 1892, 3:45 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 29, Timber Drawer, engaged drawing timber out of a broken jud, when a heavy fall of roof took place, killing them both on the spot, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Gladstone, Thomas, 27 Dec 1858, aged 42, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Goad, Thomas, 14 May 1880, (accident: 13 May 1880), aged 47, Collier, severely injured by engine set of tubs in landing

Gorton, Richard, 26 Jan 1899, aged 65, Wasteman, While travelling on the engine-plane to his work he fell down and died from heart disease. [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Graham, John, 30 Sep 1870, aged 12, Driver, horse fell on him

Graham, William, 05 Apr 1848, aged 21, died after a fight [More information ...]

Gray, George, 21 May 1906, aged 19, Staple-brake Lad, He was struck by the brake-lever due to a loosening of a segment of the brake-cleading and killed instantly. [More information ...]

Gray, George, 17 Apr 1929, (accident: 16 Apr 1929), aged 44, Scalloper, fall

Gray, Leslie, 18 Jun 1988, aged 37, Fitter, he was killed while he and others were trying to free a blockage in a staple that was used as a bunker. They had been trying to unblock it with water from above and failed. When the blockage was eventually released from below the outrush of slurry and water somehow killed him, it is believed that he died as a result of his injuries in hospital some time later, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

Gray, Robert, 23 Aug 1915, aged 14, Driver, He was coming out-bye form the 4th Welsh Way of the Main Coal seam with a full set of tubs when his head and shoulders were caught between one of the tubs and a prop. His neck was dislocated and he died instantly.

Gray, Wilfred, 06 Jun 1946, aged 47, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Grieves, Anthony, 12 Aug 1880, aged 28, Collier, heavy fall of stone while working in a broken jud

Grieves, George, 26 Aug 1927, aged 41, accident on pit heap - buried under falling debris, died in Sunderland Royal Infirmary

Grieveson, Nicholas, 24 Aug 1900, aged 71, Wasteman, Alleged to have strained himself when pulling a tram with timber on it. Post-mortem examination showed he died from double broncho-pneumonia, and that he had not received any injury.

Grogan, Joseph, 26 Nov 1955, aged 57, a number of tubs became detached as they were being hauled to the pit bottom and ran backwards down the tramway, the deceased and another man were walking up the tramway and he pushed the other man into the refuge hole but was unable to get in himself and subsequently his lower body was crushed between the tub and the wall

Haddick, Edward, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 12, killed in the 1848 explosion, young boy [More information ...]

Hailes, Richard, 24 Jul 1935, aged 51, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Hall, James, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 40, Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and several children [More information ...]

Hall, John, 23 Dec 1924, 11.10 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 35, Banksman, Whilst the cage was moving, deceased put the keps in. He did not, however, push them far enough in, and they were knocked out by the hoop of the cage. The operating lever flew back and struck him across the chest. The breast bone was fractured and the doctor thought the heart was ruptured. The keps are to be rearranged so that in the event of a similar occurrence, the lever will travel from instead of towards the banksman

Hall, Johnson, 09 Jun 1857, he and two other men were at work widening a place intended to be the station of a drawing engine, when a large stone fell from the side of the roof and crushed him to death

Hall, R. E., 12 May 1929, (accident: 16 Apr 1929), aged 40, Scalloper, fall

Hall, Thomas, 10 Aug 1864, aged 76, Wasteman, crushed by tubs in engine plane

Hall, William, 18 Nov 1855, (accident: 17 Nov 1855), Horse Driver, he was knocked down and run over while crossing a self-acting incline plane in the Polka Pit at the time a set of tubs was descending it, he died the following day

Hall, William (jnr), 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, married [More information ...]

Hardwick, Edward, 16 Feb 1926, aged 50, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Hardy, John, 11 Mar 1872, aged 16, Water Leader, run over by tubs

Harper, R., 05 Feb 1928, East Pit Engine

Hart, Edward, 26 Apr 1893, 11:00 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 12, Trapper, Took away a driver's tub and pony, which he had no right to do, and got his head crushed between the top of tub and roof. [More information ...]

Hart, R., 26 Feb 1893, Main Coal

Haswell, John, 24 Sep 1896, aged 41, Hewer, He was looking along the loose end of a skirting to see how much coal remained to he taken out, when a fall of stone took place in the goaf and caught him

Heaton, Henry, 13 Dec 1923, (accident: 21 Nov 1923), aged 49, Hewer, died through injuries received by a fall of stone

Hensley, Frederick George, 11 Feb 1903, (accident: 03 Feb 1903), aged 57, Hewer, hewing in a well-timbered jud, when a fall occurred at a slip and feather edge, and caused such injuries that he died on the 11th, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Heslop, James B., 02 Jun 1924, 7.30 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 59, Shaftman, Deceased, with another shaftman, was on the top of a cage making an examination of the shaft. The cage had passed through the shaft, a distance of 452 yards, and the men were talking to the onsetter. A thud was heard and deceased collapsed. It was found that something had pierced his leather hat and caused a compound fracture of the skull. Whatever fell was never found, although a careful search was made of the flat sheets and sump. The men had seen nothing loose during their inspection of the shaft

Hills, George, 11 Oct 1909, (accident: 06 Oct 1906), aged 37, Bricklayer, when building a chimney, part of the cornice fell and broke the scaffold on which he was standing; he fell 26 feet to the ground, and was injured internally; he died five days afterwards in hospital

Hocking, Henry W., 03 Oct 1922, aged 16, Coal Scraper, killed by a fall of coal and ramble

Hollis, William, 19 Dec 1894, (accident: 28 Nov 1894, 1:00 p.m., 9th hour of shift), aged 17, Landing Lad, Severe injury to head by winch handle while coupling ropes. Died 19th December [More information ...]

Howcroft, William, 15 Jul 1886, aged 49, Wasteman, Alleged to have received a blow on side with a prop post mortem showed he died from natural causes

Hudson, Cyril, 23 Jan 1943, aged 18, Buried: Easington Lane Cemetery

Hudson, Hugh, 02 Aug 1897, aged 41, killed on the branches, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Humphrey, Joseph R., 13 Oct 1905, aged 15, Rope Guider, whilst sitting at the pit bottom waiting to ride, a stone from the roof fell and killed him instantly; the place had been examined previously and was considered safe

Hunt, Samuel, 13 Dec 1918, aged 26, Hewer, overcome by fumes from underground fire [More information ...]

Hunter, J., 14 May 1945, Five-Quarter

Hunter, John, 16 Jan 1854, aged 23, he had gone to oil a wheel, and when the engine was suddenly set in motion, he was crushed between the wheel and a balk of timber

Hustler, John, 22 Nov 1858, aged 46, Deputy, fall of stone while drawing timber

Hutton, Thomas, 30 Nov 1858, aged 40, he was killed in the East Pit by a large stone falling on him as he was removing a judd

James, M., 30 Jun 1964

Jarvis, Joseph, 26 Dec 1906, aged 53, Main Coal

Jeffries, George, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 39, Cutter, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Jeffries, William, 11 Jul 1907, (accident: 11 Dec 1906), aged 49, Hewer, he strained himself by falling down on a waggonway and died 11th July 1907

Jobling, J., 10 Jan 1941, aged 58, Waggonway Man, caught by trucks

Jobling, William, 26 May 1896, aged 39, Hewer, Died in his working place from heart disease [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Johnson, James, 15 Dec 1912, (accident: 11 Dec 1912), aged 32, Stoneman, deceased and another stoneman were ridding an old rolleyway which was extensively fallen and were engaged in setting timber, above which was a quantity of loose stone; a few feet above the lofting a large stone had partly broken away from the side so that its outbye end was resting on the loose stone; this stone was known to be unsafe and the men were as far as possible keeping under the protecting timber; whilst they were setting a runner, however, the stone fell on to the lofting, smashing it, and thence on to deceased causing injuries from which he died on December 15

Johnson, William, 01 Jan 1924, (accident: 31 Dec 1923), aged 17, Engineman, caught by tubs, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Jones, Edward Henry, 20 Nov 1889, aged 19, Putter, head crushed between top of tub and a balk while riding on limbers contrary to orders, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Jones, Walter David, 15 May 1958, aged 59, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Kearnen, Michael, 24 Mar 1843, aged 24, Sinker, was working with several other men at the bottom of Murton New Winning sinking shaft on 24 March, when a quantity of stones fell from the side of the pit and struck him on the head. He was taken home and died four hours later; he had suffered a fractured skull

Kennedy, G., 18 Aug 1902, Low Main

Kennedy, James, 29 Dec 1931, aged 49, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Kennedy, Richard, 10 Jan 1862, aged 58, Hewer, crushed by tubs in engine plane - trying to get upon them when in motion

Kennedy, Robert, 24 Nov 1892, 3:45 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 45, Timber Drawer, engaged drawing timber out of a broken jud, when a heavy fall of roof took place, killing them both on the spot, his grandson (James Kennedy) was killed in the same pit 10 years later, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Kennett, James, 02 Nov 1910, aged 28, Hewer, Whilst walking inbye he was overtaken by the empty set in the landing, and was found partly in and partly out of a refuge hole by another hewer who followed him inbye. The landing was provided with refuge holes 10 yards apart, but there was not room to stand between the tubs and the side of the road. It was his sixth shift at the colliery, and not being accustomed to main and tail rope haulage probably did not realise that the set was close upon him until too late to take refuge

Kirton, John, 01 Dec 1857, he was walking up the Queen Mary incline in the Polka Pit at the same time that a set of tubs was descending. He was run over and killed

Knowles, Archibald, 26 Oct 1872, Fireman, run over by a locomotive

Knowles, H., 03 Apr 1914, East Pit

Knox, William, 01 Sep 1893, 1:05 p.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 38, Joiner, While engaged erecting a coal washer he fell off a staging, 20 feet high, causing concussion of the brain, from which he shortly afterwards died., Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Hetton

Laidlaw, James, 01 Apr 1876, aged 37, Plumber, suffocated by coal gas while repairing a gas pipe at bank with full pressure of gas on from works

Lashley, Adam, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 49, Filler, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Lavis, Thomas, 18 Jul 1901, aged 22, Assistant Rolleywayman, killed on engine plane by being caught by engine set, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Laws, George, 29 Jul 1864, aged 63, Deputy, fall of stone, drawing timber

Lawson, Thomas, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 41, Miner, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and eight children [More information ...]

Lawson, Thomas (jnr), 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 21, killed in the 1848 explosion, unmarried, son of Thomas Lawson [More information ...]

Linsley, Henry, 07 Oct 1905, aged 37, Blacksmith, alleged to have overstrained himself at work; Coroner's jury found that death was due to cancer, and was not accelerated by any strain or injury [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Lowe, John, 26 Feb 1843, (accident: 23 Feb 1843), aged 52, Sinker, he sent a tub to the top to receive some clay, when a piece fell from the shovel of one of the workmen who was filling the tub, and beat upon the back part of deceased's head, rendering him insensible; he was taken home where he died three days later on 26 February

Lowerson, Frederick, 01 Jul 1938, aged 42, Stoneman, runaway tubs, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Lowes, James, 07 Jul 1936, aged 57

Lowes, Matthew, 07 Jan 1908, (accident: 29 Nov 1907), aged 46, Hewer, when lifting a tub he strained his back; he did not resume work and died on 7th January 1908

Lutz, Robert, 26 Aug 1906, (accident: 24 Aug 1906), aged 14, Learning to drive, Contrary to orders, he was riding on the limbers. His head was crushed by the fore-end of the first tub of the set against the roof. Address: Victoria Terrace, Murton, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Maddison, Henry, 16 Jan 1927, aged 51, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone

Maddison, Thomas, 18 Feb 1870, aged 33, Brakesman, overcome by heat by going into steam drift into which two engines were exhausting [Sunderland Times reports: accident - 22 Feb 1870 pg 2 col 5] [More information ...]

Main, Richard, 06 Mar 1872, aged 31, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal and stone

Mann, James, 12 Aug 1968, aged 53, he suffered fatal head injuries moving powered supports into position on the coal face, Buried: St. Josephs R.C. Churchyard, Murton

Marshall, Elliott, 02 Jul 1922, aged 46, Labourer, He had worked for 10 years with the electricians; he was told to clean the switch insulators in the transformer house at bank. The insulators were 'dead', but he had 'forgotten himself' and reached up and cleaned the 'live' insulators, and was electrocuted by a 5,000 volt shock.

Marshall, J., 21 Jun 1899, East Pit

Martin, John, 15 Sep 1958, aged 45, (approximate date and age)

Martin, Patrick, 27 Aug 1858, aged 40, Hewer, jud falling in the broken

Mason, Jackson H., 30 Sep 1937, aged 41, Scalloper, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Mason, John, 29 May 1889, aged 42, Deputy, fall of stone while drawing out a broken jud

Mathwin, George G., 28 Jun 1906, aged 30, Shifter, He was standing at a way-end waiting of the ingoing set to pass him. The points had not been turned, and the set took the wrong way and ran over him, He ought not to have been standing at the way end, but instead should have gone into a refuge hole. There were two near by. [More information ...]

McDevitt, Joseph, 29 Dec 1927, (accident: 29 Oct 1925), aged 65, Deputy, crushed by a roof fall

McDougle, James, 30 Mar 1868, aged 13, Pony Putter, crushed by pony tub

McGrath, W., 14 Mar 1898, Coke Ovens

McKillup, John, 21 Dec 1937, aged 35, Deputy, explosion of firedamp, address: Forster Avenue, Murton, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

McNally, John, 29 Jul 1861, aged 20, Wasteman, killed by tubs in engine plane

Milburn, Henry, 24 Jul 1894, (accident: 18 Jul 1894, 2:00 p.m., 8th hour of shift), aged 59, Hewer, Injury to hip, struck by drag in wagon while it was passing him. Died on the 24th

Miller, Gowan, 29 Mar 1851, aged 52, whilst engaged in filling a tub in the Polka Pit of the above colliery, took suddenly ill and died immediately [date on inquest]

Mitchell, A. G., 17 Jan 1931, aged 18, Landing Lad, caught by set

Moles, Octavius, 16 Dec 1924, (accident: 11 Aug 1920), aged 45, Hewer, slipped while putting tokens on a tub

Monarch, Thomas, 21 Dec 1937, aged 34, Shifter, explosion of firedamp, address: Wood's Terrace, Murton [More information ...]

Moore, William, 14 Nov 1924, 7.50 a.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 38, Stoneman, This accident involved two men, deceased and a man who was slightly injured. The survivor says they were getting a stone down in an old bord. They were working on the inbye end of it and on hearing some movement made a dash outbye. The stone fell and knocked them both down. Deceased sustained a fracture of the skull and was dead when got out. It was a foolish action on the part of the two men to work on the inbye side ; the work could have been done quite as easily from the outbye side, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Mordue, William, 16 May 1862, aged 14, Token Keeper, crushed by surface waggons on branches

Morrison, D., 08 Jan 1934, aged 17, Shaft Lad, struck by wire rope

Mouter, William, 28 Feb 1860, Shifter, head crushed by a coal tub

Murphy, Charles, 02 May 1898, aged 60, Shifter, while putting a turn into a place and retimbering it, a fall of stone took place at a slip in the roof and killed them both, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton on 08 May 1898 [More information ...]

Murphy, John, 20 Feb 1869, aged 14, Driver, run over by tubs

Murray, M. R., 12 Oct 1944, aged 31, Surface Labourer

Muters, Peter, 28 Apr 1857, he was leaving work when he was crushed against a brick wall by a set of tubs; he died after being taken home

Napier, Peter, 14 Jun 1917, aged 45, Hewer, in October 1915, he injured his thigh while hewing, then in February 1916 he injured his leg in a second accident and never worked again. He died at Easington Hospital from "general tubercular disease, set up and accelerated by the accident to left hip"

Napper, George, 17 Jan 1957, aged 31, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, address: Brandling Way, Peterlee

Newcombe, Edward, 28 Mar 1911, aged 62, Shaftman, killed by runaway tubs [More information ...]

Noble, Edward, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 23, Overman, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and one child [More information ...]

O'Brien, Joseph, 24 Aug 1960, aged 29, Buried: Thorpe Road Cemetery, Horden

Olaman, George, 14 Aug 1936, (accident: 11 Aug 1936), aged 14, Wayend Lad, struck by prop [More information ...]

Olaman, James Robert, 26 Mar 1889, aged 39, Rolleywayman, engine set got off the way and drew out some timber; while resetting some stone fell, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Olomand, G., 06 Mar 1920, Five-Quarter

Ord, Robert, 27 Feb 1952, aged 51, Chock Drawer, killed by a fall of roof, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Ord, Thomas William, 13 Jun 1922, aged 39, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Orr, D. D. Roach, 20 Feb 1897, (accident: 19 Feb 1897), aged 46, Hewer, Severely injured about arm, chest, and internally. He was jumping off a set of empty wagons on which he had been riding, and his coat caught, and he was dragged and run over. Died the following day

Orrell, Isaac, 13 Dec 1918, aged 46, Hewer, overcome by fumes from underground fire [More information ...]

Owens, Owen, 04 Oct 1881, aged 17, Attending Ropes, crushed by machinery; he got over the fence and was caught by the drum of the hauling engine; he ought to have gone round by the proper road

Parkes, James Kennedy, 18 Aug 1902, aged 14, Landing Lad, he was coming out-bye on an engine plane in front of the set and either slipped or fell, or got his foot fast in a roller, and before he could get clear the set caught and killed him ; his grandfather (Robert) was killed in the same pit 10 years earlier, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Parkin, John, 23 Nov 1902, aged 39, Hewer, died from injuries received on September 10th, 1901

Parkinson, Benny, 1970, Electrical Track Man, [exact date unknown] ran over by a loco whilst working on treadles, he was killed at the "bottom level" near the shaft not far from the Charging station on the Murton/Hawthorn roadway

Parkinson, George, 13 Jun 1918, aged 17, Wayside Putter, crushed between a baulk of timber and his tub, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Parkinson, William, 11 Mar 1858, aged 14, Pony putter, crushed by tubs ; fell off shafts

Pascoe, William Henry, 21 Apr 1904, aged 19, Putter, killed in the Polka Pit when, along with another putter, illegally filling coal off the side of a place, a large fall of timber occurred between the timber and the coal side and killed him, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Patton, C., 17 Feb 1945, Branches

Peart, A., Sep 1970, Yard Seam

Peart, Edwin S., 26 Apr 1961, aged 59, Track Layer, rerailing repaired mine car and attaching it to empty set when set moved suddenly and he was run over by the cars

Pescod, Charles, 27 Dec 1969, aged 55, Deputy, killed by coal cutting machine, his brother (Ralph) was killed in the same pit in 1938

Pescod, Ralph, 27 May 1938, aged 22, Datal, crushed, his brother (Charles) was killed in the same pit in 1969, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Pescoe, Thomas, 22 Oct 1867, aged 32, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Pinder, Michael, 08 Aug 1923, aged 34, Joiner, he was repairing some standards on the engine plane when he had a seizure and died shortly afterwards

Pine, Simon, 06 Dec 1922, aged 14, Landing Lad, crushed to death by the tubs, he had only worked down the pit for six weeks [DC: 09 Dec 1922]

Place, Elias, 14 Feb 1880, aged 42, Deputy, fall of a large stone while drawing a jud in brokens, it broke off at the last chock post stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Plant, James, 14 Jul 1852, Joiner, in descending from a laden coal waggon, on which he had been riding on the railway leading to Murton Pit, accidentally fell across the rails and was run over. He died in less than an hour afterwards

Pollock, John, 07 Apr 1856, he and his son were working coal in order to blast it, when a mass of coal weighing three-quarters of a ton fell on Pollock snr. and crushed him severely; he died soon after being extricated

Potts, M., Aug 1970, Seven Quarter

Potts, T., 13 Jun 1921, Five-Quarter

Potts, Thomas, 23 Aug 1932, aged 44, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Potts, William, 12 Sep 1914, aged 18, Putter, deceased was taking a full tub of stone outbye to a landing when the tub jumped the points causing it to go on the empty way; he remained on the limbers and his head was caught between the top of the tub and a prop; the distance between the tub and the prop was 1¾ inches; the road was practically level; the points were of the fixed type and were somewhat worn; the horse may have crossed over

Powell, William, 27 Dec 1850, aged 16, run over by waggons

Prest, William, 10 Feb 1916, aged 66, Shifter, he was waiting at 11:30 p.m. to descend whe he collapsed and died from heart failure; he had worked at the pit for the last 35 years

Pringle, George, 06 Oct 1916, aged 69, Wasteman, he was waiting in the lamp cabin to descend when he suddenly collapsed and died

Pringle, Joseph, 19 Feb 1903, aged 28, Hewer, hewing in the fast side of a jud when a large stone fell from between three slips without any warning, and displacing some timber, killed him

Purvis, R., 26 Aug 1942, (accident: 10 Aug 1942), aged 21, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Purvis, W., 12 Nov 1912, East Pit

Quick, Richard William, 19 Dec 1849, (accident: 18 Dec 1849), aged 14, while attempting to get on a train of waggons to ride from Murton Colliery to South Hetton he slipped and fell on the railway; an engine tender and several waggons passed over his legs and severely crushed them

Raffle, Christopher, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., killed in the 1848 explosion, son of william [More information ...]

Raffle, William, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 32, Miner, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and four children, father of Christopher [More information ...]

Ramsay, Ralph, 09 Jun 1858, aged 56, Onsetter, crushed by cage while cleaning cage-hole [More information ...]

Ranson, Amos, 29 Oct 1908, aged 38, Hewer, he was hewing in the Maudlin Seam in a wall 14 feet wide; he was working alone, and was found by the putter, on his taking an empty tub into him, lying under one large stone, which had dropped out from a slip in the soft blue shale overlying the seam and from a jack running into the slip forming a more or less dome-shaped piece of loose roof; a prop was lying close to the stone, but it is not certain whether this had been set up or not; otherwise the place was well timbered; the stone fell from just between two props and planks set 3 feet apart

Raymond, George Frederick, 10 Nov 1911, aged 15, Landing Lad, it was his duty to divide the main sets up into smaller sets at the main landing of a district, and to despatch them into the various branch landings, but before doing so he had to put the 10 feet length of coupling chain into the first tub of the set; on this occasion he told another boy to rap the set "away" before he had put the chain into the tub, and he was doing this when the set moved away, with the result that his head was crushed between the top of the tub and a baulk, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Renny, S., 24 Mar 1937, East Pit Shaft

Richardson, William, 07 Nov 1883, aged 32, Hewer, died from natural causes while following his work at Murton Colliery [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Ridley, Ralph, 10 May 1909, aged 17, Runrider, presumably he had fallen off the main rope chain as the set was being hauled inbye; there was no apparent reason why he should have fallen off; the set was a slow moving one - four miles per hour, the road was of good height and width; his skull was fractured, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Roberts, William, 14 Jan 1901, aged 36, Fireman, died while following his employment in the pit from heart disease

Robinson, Nesswell Pennock, 24 Jul 1927, aged 49, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Robinson, W. S., 17 Oct 1958, Bank

Robson, Matthew, 12 Sep 1856, he was walking with several other men along the engine plane, on the way, they met a set of laden tubs being drawn by a stationary engine. All the men stepped aside, but Robson walked to the wrong side and was severely crushed. He died on being brought to bank

Roddy, Matthew, 02 Jul 1875, aged 50, Wasteman, crushed by tubs

Rowe, Edward, 15 Dec 1876, aged 38, Collier, while going down to a dip fault with an empty tub, walking before it, his head came into contact with brow of fault and he was strangled, interred at Wingate, memorial on tombstone in Easington Lane Cemetery, Buried: Easington Lane Cemetery

Rowe, Elias, 10 Sep 1886, aged 55, Shifter, while making tramway height he drew out a prop, which caused a heavy fall of stone

Rumley, David, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 12, killed in the 1848 explosion [More information ...]

Salkeld, John, 12 Sep 1925, aged 42, Stoneman, buried by fall of stone, wife and four children, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Samuel, George William, 18 Aug 1917, aged 54, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Samuels, Thomas, 20 Jan 1908, aged 15, Way-end lad, he was caught and killed by a set as he was walking outbye; he neglected to get refuge in a manhole, and it is not certain that he was not riding on the set

Scothem, S., 14 Dec 1936, Low Main

Scott, R. H., 10 Feb 1937, aged 18, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Scott, William, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 32, Filler, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Easington Lane Cemetery [More information ...]

Sharp, Charles, 01 Jun 1914, aged 39, Steeple-jack, deceased was employed by a contractor to repair a chimney; he was standing on the edge of the partly dismantled chimney, when, whilst bending down, he overbalanced and fell inside the chimney; he died four hours later in the hospital

Shepphard, William, 21 Dec 1901, (accident: 19 Dec 1901), aged 24, Spare Putter, Found by runrider lying by side of engine plane with wound to ear and chin and fractured larynx; probably caught by engine set

Shield, John T., 04 Mar 1893, (accident: 15 Feb 1893, 11:45 a.m., 6th hour of shift), aged 63, Engineer, Fingers severely crushed while examining machinery. Died from blood poisoning on March 4th.

Shield, T., 31 Jul 1917, Pit Pond

Shield, Walter, 18 Feb 1870, aged 15, Fireman, overcome by heat by going into steam drift into which two engines were exhausting [Sunderland Times reports: accident - 22 Feb 1870 pg 2 col 5] [More information ...]

Short, Robert, 26 Feb 1893, 8:45 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 37, Shifter, Fall of coal and stone while repairing gateway. The fall canted some props out., Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Short, Robert, 01 Nov 1928, aged 35, Hewer, fall, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Simmons, D., 13 Aug 1893, Low Main

Simmons, John, 21 Dec 1937, aged 36, Scalloper, explosion of firedamp, address: Calvert Terrace, Murton [More information ...]

Simms, William Henry, 08 Aug 1893, (accident: 04 Aug 1893, 1:00 p.m., 9th hour of shift), aged 12, Driver, Severely crushed about abdomen by being run over by tubs. Died on 8th inst.

Simpson, Joseph, 13 Jun 1889, aged 22, Waggon Rider, was on the first of a set of waggons being pushed into a siding when it was thrown off the way and ran over the deceased

Sinclair, William W., 30 Dec 1942, (accident: 16 Dec 1942), aged 42, killed by a fall of stone

Skeen, R., 17 Jun 1900, Low Main

Smiles, John, 30 Jun 1871, aged 38, Enginewright, crushed by tubs on engine plane

Smith, Archibald, 13 Jun 1888, aged 34, Fireman, scalded by the explosion of No. 9 steam boiler at the Middle pit, eight other men were also injured by this explosion, but ultimately recovered [More information ...]

Smith, Fine Day, 02 Jul 1957, Washer

Smith, James, 29 Mar 1888, aged 49, Coke Drawer, while engaged loading a coke oven close to a line of rails, a coal waggon, pushed along by a locomotive engine, ran over and killed him

Smith, James, 16 Sep 1888, aged 35, Hewer, died from internal injuries, but not in any way due to a colliery accident

Smith, John, 23 Jun 1850, (accident: 31 May 1850), received an injury on his right leg whilst at work at the screens, died from lock-jaw

Smith, John, 06 Jun 1935, aged 48, Overman, struck by prop, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Smith, Michael, 04 Aug 1907, (accident: 01 Aug 1907), aged 52, Hewer, strained himself when lifting a full tub and died three days afterwards

Smith, Robert, 06 Jun 1853, aged 29, Engineman, killed by a waggon which ran off a waggonway. [The Durham Chronicle - 19/06/1863]

Smith, William, 11 May 1936, (accident: 16 Apr 1936), aged 45, Drawer, killed by a fall of stone

Soppitt, E., 16 Mar 1901, Branches

Speed, Robert, 19 Jan 1900, (accident: 04 Jan 1900), aged 46, Hewer, Back injured by a fall of stone from roof while hewing. Died on the 19th inst.

Spry, Richard, 21 Dec 1937, aged 51, Scalloper, explosion of firedamp, address: Matthews Road, Murton, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Steele, Robert, 12 Sep 1929, he suffered serious injuries to his legs and body when he was caught by a large fall of stone in the main roadway, he was taken outbye but died at the shaft bottom

Stephenson, Joseph, 07 Nov 1888, aged 14, Driver, head crushed between tub and a balk of wood; he had either lost his light or the pony started off too soon

Stobie, James, 23 Mar 1935, aged 48, Filler, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Stobie, James, 11 Mar 1975, aged 34, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Storey, Robert, 03 Aug 1864, aged 15, Trimmer, crushed by a surface waggon

Stratton, William, 05 Sep 1905, aged 41, Hewer, when he was hewing in Low Main Seam a stone fell from between slips, and killed him instantly

Street, John, 29 Mar 1943, (accident: 26 Mar 1943), aged 60, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Stubbs, Thomas, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 27, Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and two children [More information ...]

Sugden, Samuel, 29 Apr 1906, (accident: 12 Jan 1906), aged 46, Hewer, When hewing, a piece of stone fell from between the roof supports and broke his left leg. He died on 29th April., Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Surtees, James, 31 Oct 1942, aged 57, Time Office

Surtees, Levi, 11 Jun 1895, 3:30 p.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 15, Driver, head crushed between tub and baulk while riding on limbers out-bye

Tait, J., 26 Dec 1907, Low Main

Tappendon, T., 09 May 1954

Tatlock, James, 02 May 1898, aged 50, Shifter, while putting a turn into a place and retimbering it, a fall of stone took place at a slip in the roof and killed them both [More information ...]

Taylor, T., 13 Jun 1954, Five-Quarter

Terry, Frank, 17 Dec 1940, (accident: 13 Dec 1940), aged 19, Landing Lad, struck by girder, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Terry, John, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 46, Cutter, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Easington Lane Cemetery [More information ...]

Thompson, George, 04 Jul 1848, (accident: 14 Jun 1848), aged 22, Fireman, he was engaged in assisting the engineman to place the bonnet on one of the valves of the engine which had recently been removed, and as he was in the act of taking hold of it the engine stopped, and consequently caused a communication between the boilers and the condensers, the result of this was a quantity of hot water and steam blew through the valve upon the deceased and severely scalded him. Thompson was attended by the colliery surgeon and appeared to be recovering until the 21st. when his condition gradually worsened and he died on 4 July.

Thompson, John, 01 Aug 1845, aged 10, Ten year old John Thompson died of inflammation of the brain on 1 August. About a month earlier, while at work on the screens at Murton Colliery, he had been struck on the head by a piece of brass, or foul coal, which was thrown off the screens by a man named Robinson (accident about a month earlier)

Thornton, J. E. N., 13 Apr 1938, (accident: 03 Apr 1938), aged 46, Scalloper, killed by a fall of stone

Thornton, Norman, 18 Feb 1902, aged 14, Putter, riding out-bye on the full set, contrary to rules, the set got off the way and the main rope became detached ; the tubs then joined together and crushed these youths so severely that they afterwards died ; four other young men were at the same time severely injured, but they recovered [More information ...]

Thornton, Thomas Andrew, 10 Nov 1903, aged 16, Driver, when driving a set of seven full tubs, and walking by the side of the pony he had either been knocked down, or stumbled and caught his head with sufficient force to fracture his skull and kill him

Tidyman, Charles, 12 Dec 1882, aged 13, Trapper, crushed by engine set of tubs, he got out before the set stopped and fell between the tubs and was run over

Tidyman, Robert, 19 Nov 1901, aged 25, Putter, There is nothing to show how this accident occurred. He left the flat with his pony in front of him and was picked up dying a few minutes afterwards with his chest fractured. There was no fall and everything was in order. The presumption is that the pony kicked him. Killed in the Main Coal seam, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Tinkler, Robert, 08 Jan 1898, (accident: 26 Mar 1889), aged 45, Rolleywayman, died today from the effects of an accident caused by a fall of stone on March 26th, 1889 [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a reportable accident]

Tinkler, Stephen, 01 Jun 1886, aged 27, Horse Driver, run over by a full waggon, on unhooking the chain he got his foot entangled, which threw him down across the metals, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Tipling, Martin, 26 Sep 1884, aged 35, Hewer, head crushed between tub and a prop while trying to pass it

Todd, John Thomas, 19 Dec 1905, (accident: 29 May 1905), aged 16, Driver, slipped on a sleeper and bruised his ankle; blood poisoning supervened and he died on 19th December

Todd, Thomas, 25 Mar 1849, aged 10, Thomas Todd, the ten year old son of deputy overman William Todd, was sitting on the last of a train of waggons which jolted to a halt at Murton Colliery on 25 March. He fell off and a waggon ran over his left leg just above the knee, crushing it severely. He was taken home, the surgeon amputated the limb, and three hours later he died.

Toft, Thomas, 18 Feb 1902, aged 14, Putter, riding out-bye on the full set, contrary to rules, the set got off the way and the main rope became detached ; the tubs then joined together and crushed these youths so severely that they afterwards died ; four other young men were at the same time severely injured, but they recovered [More information ...]

Tones, Joseph, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 66, Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and six children [More information ...]

Trenbirth, William John, 01 Jul 1932, (accident: 29 Jun 1932), aged 19, Air Engineman, caught by girder, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton on 04 Jul 1932

Treweeke, Richard Henry, 13 Dec 1918, aged 31, Hewer, overcome by fumes from underground fire, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Triffett, William, 18 Oct 1890, aged 47, Hewer, while walking along the main road carrying a pick in his hand he met the set of tubs and by some means was crushed by side of way and the pick was forced into his abdomen causing instant death

Turnbull, G., 06 Dec 1906, Main Coal

Turner, John George A., 05 Apr 1907, aged 20, Shifter, he walked on to the return wheel at the inbye end of a landing [More information ...]

Vest, Joseph Edward Roseby, 02 Jan 1920, aged 26, Hewer, killed by a fall of coal

Vickers, Robert L., 29 Sep 1943, (accident: 10 Sep 1943), aged 38, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Vout, James, 21 Jun 1902, (accident: 12 Jun 1902), aged 17, Timber Leader, severe scalp wound by hitting his head against a baulk when pushing his timber tram into a working place, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Waddle, Robert, 19 Jun 1897, aged 27, Stone Putter, While a full tub was being made ready in a landing, twenty-nine full tubs ran amain down the landing. The deceased was standing opposite a refuge hole, shouting for other men to get out of the way, when the tubs caught and killed him

Wade, William, 07 Nov 1904, (accident: 09 Sep 1903), died from the effects of injuries received in the pit on 9th September 1903, at Sedgefield Asylum

Walker, Robert, 14 Apr 1877, (accident: 12 Apr 1877), aged 17, Putter, severely crushed by tubs running back on him, cotter came out of limmers

Wallace, Robert, 08 May 1924, 5.15 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 59, Stoneman, Deceased assisted his son to lift a full tub on to the rails. They were in front of the tub on an incline of 1 in 13½, and deceased took the scotch out of the front wheels. He moved to get past the tub, when it commenced to run forward down the incline. Both men put their backs to the tub in an effort to control it, but deceased slipped and fell. His head was crushed between the tub and a prop

Walton, William Brady, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 27, Putter, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Ward, James, 28 Jul 1854, aged 15, Pony Driver, he was found lying dead on the limmers attached to a tub in the Polka Pit

Ward, Philip, 06 Jan 1956, Electrician, trapped around a drum underground

Watson, Nicholas Willis, 26 Jul 1928, aged 44, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Weddell, George, 17 Feb 1859, aged 39, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Weighill, Richard Robert, 10 Dec 1909, aged 21, Putter, this youth was killed by a fall of top coal when he was filling coals off the wall side, a practice contrary to the special Rules and one to which attention has often been directed; by referring to Appendix 11 (b), Prosecutions by Owners, it will be seen that no less than nine persons, all putters, were prosecuted against and fined for this particular offence during the year; in addition to these prosecutions, offenders were also dealt with summarily at the Collieries, Buried: Princess Road Cemetery, Seaham

Wharton, J. A., 08 Jun 1888, aged 24, Hewer, broken leg, thigh, and collar bone; he fell and was run over while attempting to jump on to the engine set of tubs while running at full speed, contrary to rules

White, William, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 18, Putter, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Whitmore, George, 04 Jun 1909, aged 14, Landing lad, the men and boys are taken inbye in the set; they, although they should not, begin to get out of the tubs before the set arrives at the appointed stopping place; this boy had his legs over the tub end and, presumably, missed the buffer; he fell between the tubs and was run over; this getting out of the tubs before they come to a standstill is difficult to prevent; in this case the boy was in the 19th or 20th tub; the backoverman was in the 59th, and would therefore have no chance to see what the boy was doing

Whitmore, Gilbert, 26 Aug 1918, aged 15, Scraper (Coal cutter), killed by a fall of coal, he was employed was scraper with the coal cutting machine

Wild, George, 15 Jun 1869, aged 47, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Williamson, J., 05 Jan 1939, (accident: 12 Oct 1938), aged 41, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Williamson, William, 17 Sep 1861, aged 62, Wasteman, fall of stone in waste

Wills, Joseph, 20 Feb 1935, (accident: 27 Dec 1934), aged 31, Scalloper, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Wills, Nicholas, 22 Dec 1920, aged 26, Assistant Keeker, He had been taking the belt off the sheave and over the shaft end on the screening machine, when his foot slipped into the loop, and the belt caught in the shaft and drew him in. He was found hanging upside down. He died in Sunderland Infirmary.

Wills, William, 29 Oct 1915, aged 42, Low Main

Wilson, Henry, 05 Jun 1941, aged 34, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Wilson, Peter, 10 Dec 1883, aged 28, Hewer, fall of roof while working in a broken jud

Wilson, W. N., 28 Dec 1944, aged 29, Assistant Traffic Manager, run over by tubs

Winlow, Adam, 21 Nov 1928, (accident: 07 Jan 1927), aged 48, Rolleyway Man, struck by balk

Wood, J., 01 Jun 1960, Seven Quarter Set

Wood, John Dixon, 02 May 1951, aged 53, he met his death when his scarf caught in the cogs of air winch and he was strangled, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Wooton, Albert, 24 Jul 1958, Five-Quarter, Buried: St. Josephs (R.C.) Church, Murton

Worth, John Richard, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 50, Deputy, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Young, John, 06 Nov 1849, Driver, he was killed when a rolley ran him down

Young, T., 28 Dec 1947, Yard Seam

Young, Thomas, 23 Nov 1860, aged 12, Driver, crushed by coal tubs