Description

No. 523 on the list occurred at Eppleton Colliery, belonging to the Hetton Coal Co., Ltd., on November 18th, causing the death of a putter.

Deceased was following his employment, and after having been in one of the hewer's places six times and taken a full tub out each time, he did not come again, and the hewer went out about 14 yards and found a pony and tub, and shouted, What's the matter ?

The pony moved on, and then deceased fell out from between two props that were 18 in. apart and 13 in. from the tub sole. The hewer could not say whether he had been fast between the tub or timber or not, but said he fell face first, and that he was warm but dead.

There was no timber displaced, the tub was on the way, and the pony was standing quietly.

He was taken home and a post-mortem examination was made of the body, at which two doctors, one representing the Colliery Co. and the other the deceased's relatives, were present. They both agreed that the injuries found on the body could not cause death. The internal organs were healthy, with the exception of the heart, which was very flabby.

One said he thought death was due to natural causes, the other that it was due to failure of the heart's action, due to shock from a sudden injury or a fright, and the jury accepted the view of the latter, and returned a verdict of "death was due to injuries received while following his work in the pit."

Mines Inspectors Report Entry

Sources

• 1898 Mines Inspectors Report (C 9264), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 29 Where to find this report
• 1898 Mines Inspectors Report (C 9264), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 43, Accident Number: 523 Where to find this report

Researchers

 Return    Return to Top