Durham Mining Museum - Newspaper Articles (original) (raw)

9th June 1885, Page: 4, Column: 1

The Margaret Pit Accident

Coroner's Inquiry

Yesterday, Mr. Crofton Maynard, coroner, opened an inquiry at the Jolly Potters' Inn, Newbottle, into the circumstances attending the death of twelve of the men and boys who were killed by the recent accident at the Margaret Pit. The names of the deceased are: George Jarvis, (Newbottle),Joseph Robson, sen., and Jacob Robson, jun. (New Herrington), James Wilson Grey (New Herrington),John House (Success-row), Joseph Laidler (Success-row), Robert John Bailes (Sunniside), Geo. Lowrey (Sunniside), John Callighan (Sunniside),W. Davison (Shiney-row), Joseph Carr (Shiney-row),Thomas Jackson Saunders (Penshaw Staiths). The last of these found was Joseph Laidler, whose body was brought to bank at 10.15 on Sunday night.Mr. Geo. Scott (Newbottle) having been chosen foreman, and the jury sworn in, the whole of the party were accommodated with a three-horsed brake, in which they proceeded to view the bodies. About two hours were thus taken up, and on the reassembling of the jury at the Jolly Potters' Inn, evidence of identification was given. Mr. Henry Forrest, of Durham, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Durham Miners' Association. The first witness called was Mary Jarvis, widow, Newbottle, who identified the body of the deceased, George Jarvis, as that of her son, aged 16 years, and employed as a driver at the Peggy Pit. The bodies of Joseph Robson, sen., and Jacob Robson, jun., were identified by Joseph Robson, of Pelton Ferry. Thomas Smith, of New Herrington, identified James Wilson Gray (37) hewer. The deceased John Housewas identified by his son, Thomas House.James Laidler, Success-row, deputy overman, identified the body of Joseph Laidler, his son, aged 19. Robert Nicholson identified the body of Robt. John Bailes, his brother-in-law. Deceased was aged 31 years. The body of George Lowrey was identified by John Lowrey. Joseph Lumley, miner. Junction-row, identified John Callighan, aged 28 years. Joseph White, Shiney-row, screenman at Herrington Pit, identified Wm. Davison, hewer, aged 22. Matthew Carr, miner, of Monkwearmouth, identified the body of Joseph Carr, who, he said, was his brother. He was 25 years of age.Thomas Jackson Saunders was identified by Robert Bankfield, miner, of West Cornforth, who said the deceased was 32 years of age. On the conclusion of his evidence, the Coroner granted the usual order for burial in each case. The next witness called was Dr. David Scott Park, of Houghton-le-Spring, who said he saw one of the men (Rennison Carter) alive on Wednesday of last week. He was brought out of the pit suffering from the effects of gas. He was in a profound comatose condition, and every means were taken to restore him. He died, however, about four o'clock the same afternoon, from the effects of some noxious gas, probably carbonic acid gas. Witness had made a careful examination of the bodies of all the men found in the Margaret Pit. All had died from the effects of some noxious gas, probably carbonic acid gas, except Joseph Carr, in whose case death had probably occurred by drowning. Witness saw the whole of the dead men as they were brought out except Calligan, Jarvis,House, and Laidler. These witness saw immediately they arrived home ; the rest he saw as they were brought to bank. The features of the deceased men were perfectly placid and quiet, and bore no signs of pain or struggle. Death, in his opinion, had been instantaneous. — By Mr. Forrest : Carr was brought up in a similar condition to the others. There were a few bruises on several of the bodies, but these had taken place after death. It was stated that Carr had been found in a nude state, but when witness saw the body it was dressed. In the case of Carr there were a few superficial bruises on the back, but they had been occasioned after death. There was a cut on Saunders' forehead. Carr was not more bruised than the others. — The Coroner then said this was as far as he proposed to take the inquiry that day. He had received a letter from Mr. Bell, Government Inspector of Mines, who suggested that the adjourned inquiry should be held on the 22nd inst., in order that application might be made to the Home Office to ascertain if it was intended that a Government official should attend the inquiry, and in order that time might be given for the preparation of plans, showing the pit workings, for the benefit of the jury. Mr. Forrest said the 24th would be a more convenient day, and ultimately the inquiry was adjourned till Wednesday, the 24th, at 10 a.m.

Several of the bodies were interred this afternoon. It is intended, we believe, to-morrow to restart theDorothy and New Herrington Pits, operations at which have been stopped since the accident at thePeggy Pit.