Description

A tub-mender was killed at Whitburn Colliery, Durham. Deceased and a labourer were sent to unload planks from a railway wagon, which was standing with the brake down on an inclination of 1¾ ins. to the yard. They commenced to lower the wagon to a suitable place, using a square piece of wood, 3 ft. 6 ins. in length, to get purchase on the brake lever, stopping the wagon two or three times during the first 8 ft. of travel. It then appears to have attained a greater speed, and they were unable to stop it with the brake, probably owing to the fulcrum of the wood lever slipping, and losing the purchase on the brake lever. Deceased ran round to the back of the wagon, and put a 5 ft. prop in the front wheel in advance of the axle box guard. The prop caught the axle box and canted upwards with some force at the outer end, throwing him in front of the wagon, between the rails. He attempted to creep across the rails, and received injuries from the wheels, from which he died an hour and a half later.

Sources

• 1924 Mines Inspectors Report, Northern Division (No. 2) by T. Greenland Davies, H.M. Inspector of Mines [DMM Ref: L-01624 - Tom Bainbridge Collection], Page: 30
• 1924 Mines Inspectors Report, Northern Division (No. 2) by T. Greenland Davies, H.M. Inspector of Mines [DMM Ref: L-01624 - Tom Bainbridge Collection], Page: 76, Accident Number: 186

Researchers

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