Durham Mining Museum - Colliery Disaster (original) (raw)

Shaft accidents.

Accident No. 2, Bridge End Colliery. This is, perhaps, one of the most remarkable accidents on record, indeed it is the only one of its kind that has come to my knowledge.

On the morning of the 11th of January whilst six workmen were descending the pit shaft the horse driver went into the stable upon the pit bank to bridle the "horse," when the animal immediately turned round, knocked the driver down, and rushed out in the direction of the pit-mouth, slipping headlong into the shaft, down which he fell with horrible and tremendous force, and striking the skip upon which the unfortunate men stood, severed the coupling link of the band-chain, and thus precipitated them to the bottom where they were afterwards found dead and sadly mutilated.

At the pit in question the usual mode of winding is practised, i.e., loose skips are employed instead of guides, cages, lifting wickets, &c. If these latter had been in use this lamentable accident would have been prevented.

Source: 1864 Mines Inspectors Report, by James P. Baker, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Page: 104

	Baker, Joseph, Fell part way down pit shaft. A waggon horse walked into the pit, and fell heavily upon the skip in which the deceased persons were descending and snapped the band chain. A permanent fence would have prevented this accident
	Barker, Zachary, Fell part way down pit shaft. A waggon horse walked into the pit, and fell heavily upon the skip in which the deceased persons were descending and snapped the band chain. A permanent fence would have prevented this accident
	Bates, Thomas, Fell part way down pit shaft. A waggon horse walked into the pit, and fell heavily upon the skip in which the deceased persons were descending and snapped the band chain. A permanent fence would have prevented this accident
	Page, John, Fell part way down pit shaft. A waggon horse walked into the pit, and fell heavily upon the skip in which the deceased persons were descending and snapped the band chain. A permanent fence would have prevented this accident
	Round, Job, Fell part way down pit shaft. A waggon horse walked into the pit, and fell heavily upon the skip in which the deceased persons were descending and snapped the band chain. A permanent fence would have prevented this accident
	Terry, George, Fell part way down pit shaft. A waggon horse walked into the pit, and fell heavily upon the skip in which the deceased persons were descending and snapped the band chain. A permanent fence would have prevented this accident
	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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