Description

Deceased and another hewer were working together during the fore shift in a lift in broken workings in the Busty seam, 5 feet thick, in the 2nd North way, when a stone, 7 feet long, parallel to the face, 4½ feet wide, and 12 inches thick, fell at the right and loose side of the place, close to the coal, killing him instantly. There was a 4 feet dip hitch running right across the face which relieved the stone on that side, parallel to the hitch was a breaker, end another breaker connected it and the hitch on the loose side; there was a good parting above, so that the stone was of the nature of a cantilever 7 feet long, and three props and headtrees set under it were unable to support it, and were canted out. There was a sufficient supply of loose timber close at hand. The deputy had spent some time in the place during the shift, leaving an hour before the accident, and had warned them about the breakers, but may not have been aware of the proximity of the hitch. The Local Inspectors reported, "We found an ample supply of timber of suitable length near the face, and, in our opinion, the place was well and sufficiently timbered. We do not consider that any blame can be attributed to anyone concerned."

Sources

• 1906 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 3449), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 31, Accident Number: 22 Where to find this report

Researchers

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