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	Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	27th November 1906
Colliery:	Washington
Company:	Washington Coal Co., Ltd.
Cause:	Crushed by tubs
Lives Lost:	1
Category:

An engine plane dipping inbye at the rate of 3 inches per yard, is worked by a single rope taken in by the empty sets of 48 tubs which then draws out the loaded sets by engine power. A tram called a "bull," running on 18-inch wheels and weighing altogether 15 cwt., is always attached to the rear of the loaded sets, and is fitted with two pointed horns which, while the bull is travelling outbye are clear of the floor, but which, by suitable mechanism, drop on to the floor and either stops or derails the set if it moves backwards. The bull does not act at all with the empty sets, but runs inbye with them as the leading tram with its horns pinned up. Deceased and others were walking outbye on the engine plane, which is the regular travelling way, while an empty set, with the bull leading, was being run inbye. In some way the chain attaching the bull to the crook on the drawbar of the leading tub became free, and the bull ran amain, keeping the rails for 530 yards. It was heard coming and recognised as a runaway, and all got clear into refuge holes except deceased, who would also have probably escaped had not the bull jumped the rails at a junction near where they were and pinned him against a brick wall. The Local Inspectors reported, "We find plenty of refuge holes within the specified distances, and in our opinion it is a pure accident." The manager said he would see if he could not devise some more secure mode of coupling the bull to the set.

Source:

1906 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 3449), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 42, Accident Number: 82 Where to find this report

	Windmill, Samuel, aged 60, Hewer, crushed by tubs [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 27 Nov 1906 pg 3]
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