Durham Mining Museum - Colliery Accident 1903 (original) (raw)

Deceased men were labouring for bricklayers on a new haulage and air road that is being formed for working the sea coal. The masons were building side walls a few yards further inbye of the point where the accident happened, and where the lime was mixed. The place was 9 feet wide inside the side walls, which were carried nearly to the roof, and 10 feet high, there was no timber placed to support the roof, which was thought to be safe. A stone, 10 feet by 8 feet, and from 2 to 6 inches thick, dropped from the roof upon them while they were engaged at the lime, killing them both instantly. An old haulage road, still in use, ran parallel to the new road at a slightly higher level and within a few feet of it, and vibration from the trains of tubs on it may have helped to loosen the stone.

See also: Newspaper report from the West Cumberland Times of March 25, 1903.

	Horrocks, Thomas, aged 27, Bricklayers Labourer, fall of roof, address: Strand Street, Whitehaven, Buried: Whitehaven Cemetery
	Mossop, John, aged 23, Bricklayers Labourer, fall of roof, address: Woodville Terrace, Whitehaven, Buried: Whitehaven Cemetery
	All names found
	Those names marked with , have a web page providing individual details of the accident, the page may also include a photograph of the deceased. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the web page.

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