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	Individual Details		Individual Details

Age:	53
Died:	13th May 1871
Accident:	13th May 1871
Year Born:	abt. 1818
Colliery:	Montagu Main
Company:	Thomas Benson
Occupation:	Hewer
Notes:	fell down shaft from Low Main
Buried:	[not known]
Category:

Shafts.

On the 13th May William Craven, a hewer, who was employed at the Montague Main Colliery, descended the shaft to go to his work, but having to stop at what is called a middle seam, he, instead of going in on the road leading to his working place, walked into the open part of the shaft, and thereby causing his immediate death. At the inquest sufficient evidence was produced to show that there was a proper provision of lights at the shaft, and that the accident occurred entirely through the error of the deceased. At the same time I advised the owners of the colliery to have further protection, when a part of the shaft was unoccupied by the cage at that seam, and particularly when persons were ascending and descending, which was promised to be attended to.

• 1871 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 653), Northumberland, North Durham, and Cumberland District by George William Southern, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 161 Where to find this report
• 1871 Mines Inspectors Report (C. 653), Northumberland, North Durham, and Cumberland District by George William Southern, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 163, Accident Number: 23 Where to find this report

Email	Researcher	Date	Interest
	joy watts	03 Jul 2016	He was my Great,Great Grandfather. I would like to know how and why the cage was raised while he was still in it. What were the safety procedures at that time.

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