Description

A promising young mining engineer lost his life from injuries received in the Urpeth Busty pit, near Birtley, on the 10th January. Mr. J. D. Wilson, the manager, was informed early in the morning that the endless rope haulage underground was not working satisfactorily, and he immediately descended the pit and proceeded to the engine-house to ascertain the cause. The rope was giving at the time, and learning that there was something wrong with the rim of the main driving sheave, lie got over the fence and was feeling the rim of the wheel as it revolved, when his hand was caught by the rope, and in endeavouring to save himself he fell over the sheave, with his leg under the crank of the engine, which made two or three revolutions before it could be stopped. The injuries he received were of such a nature that he only survived until the 27th of the same month. Why the deceased, who was to my knowledge a particularly careful man, should have omitted the precaution of stopping the engine, which he most certainly would have done had anyone else been examining the sheave, is to my mind only to be explained by over zeal and his anxiety not to interfere with the work of the pit; but it is one more example of the old adage, "the more haste the worst speed," which, if borne in mind by those engaged in pit work, would certainly result in the saving of many broken limbs, if not of more valuable lives.

Mines Inspectors Report Entry

Sources

• 1894 Mines Inspectors Report (C 7667), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 13 Where to find this report
• 1894 Mines Inspectors Report (C 7667), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 34, Accident Number: 8 Where to find this report

Researchers

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