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	Individual Details		Individual Details

Age:	33
Died:	17th Sep 1856
Accident:	17th Sep 1856
Year Born:	abt. 1823
Colliery:	Bebside
Company:
Occupation:	Miner
Notes:	crushed by cage
Buried:	[not known]
Category:

Several persons have lost their lives by falling from the cage or down the working shaft ; but two of these demand especial notice.

On the 17th September, a death occurred at Bebside Colliery, in Northumberland, under very grievous circumstances. The shaft was properly fitted with cages and slides, and at the top with keeps whereon to rest the cage whilst the loaded and empty tubs were changed; the same was applicable in the case of persons going up or down the pit; whilst the cage had an upper and lower department, the latter of which was used by the men.

In the present instance eight persons were coming up in the cage, and when arrived at the top four had stepped out, and the fifth was in the act of doing also, when the cage suddenly sunk, and the poor man was crushed to death upon the settle boards by collision with the upper part of the cage.

It came out in evidence, that although the keeps were always used in the manoeuvring of the coal tubs, an unaccountable practice prevailed of fastening them back when men were riding, and this circumstance was well known to the agents.

The Jury therefore looked upon the case as bearing very heavily against either the man who managed the steam engine, or the bankmen who worked the top of the pit; after a long deliberation, the majority were for a verdict of manslaughter, whilst the others were for accidental death, and as they could not agree, they were discharged without a verdict; due caution being given against any such imprudent practice in future.

• 1856 Mines Inspectors Report
• Contributions from Ray Ditchburn from his research into mining fatalities in Northumberland

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