Mexborough and Swinton Times May 10, 1929

Cortonwood Inquest.
Demand for Medical Evidence,
Unusual Protest.
Coroner Saving Ratepayers’ Money.

An unusual protest was made at an inquest held at Wath Town Hall yesterday, when Thomas Bird, of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, wanted to know why medical evidence was not called, the Coroner Mr. J. Kenyon Parker, replying that it was not necessary in the case. The inquest was on Tom Saunders (picture) , a trammer, aged 28, of Westfield Cottages, West Melton, who was fatally injured early on ‘Tuesday morning in the Cortonwood Colliery, Parkgate seam, through a large piece of coal falling and knocking a prop on to him.

Evidence of identification was given by William Saunders (father), who said deceased was 28 years of age, lived with him, and was a trammer. He had worked in a pit for 14 years. Witness last saw his son alive on Monday, about 9-10 p.m., in good health, as the latter was going to work. About 3-30 on Tuesday morning witness was informed that his son was seriously injured, and later that he was dead. He was, told that there was a fall of coal.

Harry Longworth, miner, of 32, Princess Street, West Melton, employed at Cortonwood Colliery, and with about 35 years’ experience, said deceased was his trammer. On Monday, May 6, they worked together on the night shift. They got to their working place about 10-30 to 11 p.m., and the accident happened about 12-30 a.m. He had put up two props in the gate, saw the.piace was all right, and deceased was throwing coal back. He said to him, “Don’t throw any more coal back, Tom,” and deceased stood still. A piece of coal knocked out a prop, which was not one which they had put up. This prop struck deceased. Coal weighing about five or six hundredweight fell.

On witness’s suggestion deceased was put on a, stretcher, and, taken out of the pit to the innbulance room, where he died. The deputy had not visited the place prior to the accident. There was no warning of danger, and it was a pure accident.

In reply to Mr. Scott (H.M. Inspector) witness said the coal was free, and in reply to Mr. Bird the witness said he replaced one prop, because one was broken.

George Mount, trammer, 36, Princess Street, West Melton, said he had worked in a pit for about eight years, He was working with Saunders. They started to shift coal which had been let down. Longworth went to the place, first, while witness and deceased filled tubs. Without warning, a prop was knocked out by a piece of coal. Witness did not see the coal fall, and when he was hit deceased was resting.

Mr. Scott: Was the coal overhanging—No.

The face seemed quite safe?— Yes

Walter Rawlings, deputy, of Barnsley Road, Wombwell, said he had worked in a pit almost all his life. When the accident happened he was sent for, and he found deceased in the gate unconscious, with a cut on the right side of the head. Witness obtained a stretcher and conveyed deceased out of the pit. ‘The piece of coal which knocked out the prop weighed 5 or 6 hundredweight. Witness had worked in this pit about twelve years, and always found Longworth a good workman. After the accident he examined the place and found no slips.

Mr. Bird said he wished to record a protest against the doctor who attended deceased not being called.

The Coroner: I think I call more medical evidence than others. This man was hit on the head and died within an hour, so I do not think it necessary to call the doctor. Perhaps you don’t agree with me. Are you are ratepayer?

Mr. Bird: Yes.

The Coroner: Do you know that it would cost one and a half guineas for a doctor to tell me the man’s skull was fractured? If the jury require it, I will adjourn the inquest for the doctor’s evidence. I think it an unreasonable protest. I paid £300 last year to one doctor alone.

Harry Fawcett, manager of the pit, said that Saunders died in the ambulance room of the pit, and death took place before the doctor came. ‘The doctor said the skull was fractured

The Coroner (to the jury): Do you wish me to adjourn the inquest to call medical evidence?

The jury: No.

The foreman of the jury said they found death was due to accidental fracture of the skull.