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	Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	9th June 1906
Colliery:	Preston
Company:	U. A. Ritson and Sons Ltd.
Cause:	Fall of stone
Lives Lost:	1
Category:

A fall of stone had taken place on June 7th at an old air crossing on the main haulage road in the Bensham seam, and 70 tubs of stones were filled away. A second fall occurred at the same point on June 8th, and was also cleared away, and on the evening of that day the master shifter and a of men went to the place to make it secure. The fall was 24 feet long, and had left a space 15 feet wide and 14 feet high. Two old steel rails, weighing 70 lbs. per yard, one 20 feet and the other 24 feet long, were placed on either side of the road, resting on props 5 inches diameter and 6 feet long, and a lofting of balks, 10 feet long and 10 inches by 5 inches sectional area, was placed on these rails. A stretcher, in case of side pressure, had been placed between the rails at one end, and deceased was on the lofting, measuring for a stretcher at the other end, when about 1 a.m. on June 9th, a stone, 5 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet, relieved by slips, fell from the side above him, knocking out a girder and causing the collapse of the whole structure. Deceased was fastened but not killed, and was heard to speak ; the master shifter and the other men at once tried to release him, when a second fall took place, somewhat seriously injuring three of them, in eluding the master shifter, and killing deceased. The Local Inspectors reported, "We think it is a pure accident, judging from the place, as we saw every precaution had been taken for safety."

Source:

1906 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 3449), Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. B. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 27, Accident Number: 35 Where to find this report

	Knowles, John Hall (died: 15 Jun 1906) , aged 47, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Preston Cemetery, North Shields
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