South Yorkshire Times, January 13th,1933
Coal “Burst”
“Inevitable” Type Of Accident
Wath Man Killed
An accident at Manvers Main Colliery (No. 2) on January 5th, resulting in the death of Thomas Tilson (43), miner,115,Sandmymount Road, Wath, was the subject of an inquiry by the Doncaster District Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile), at the Montagu Hospital, Mexborough on Saturday.
The coroner explained that Tilson was working in No 61 bank in the Parkgate seam with Joseph Fitch, who was using a pick at the coal face. Suddenly a piece of coal weighing about 40 cwts. burst from the face, knocking Tilson to the ground. He was immediately removed from the pit and taken to the Montagu Hospital, where he died shortly after admittance.
The widow, Mabel Tilson, gave evidence of her husband going to work in apparently good health. She later heard of the accident, but on going to the hospital was informed that her husband had died.
Joseph Fitch, miner,14 Riley Road, Wath, Tilson’s workmate, said at 4.45 p.m. on January 5th,he was getting coal from the fast side of the face while Tilson was standing several feet away waiting until he (witness) had got the coal off. He liberated a piece of coal which fell away from the face. As this occurred, he warned Tilson that it was falling. “At the same time there was a bump which bought another piece of coal away from the face. As it fell Tilson made to get clear but failed and was caught by it, being knocked to the ground. He scrambled away unaided for about four feet and then collapsed.” Witness went to Tilson and examined his back which had received most of the force of the blow from the coal and found no serious wound. There were only several scratches on the left shoulder and hip. Tilson complained of pain in the right hip but there was no outer sign of injury, yet Tilson had difficulty in moving his leg. Witness sent for assistance and Tilson was removed from the pit.
In answer to further questions by the coroner, Fitch said he did not think that his using of the pick had anything to do with the “bump” and consequent burst of coal. Tilson was standing at a safe distance from the piece of coal witness was trying to get off the face. They had been working in that place for at least three months and nothing similar had ever occurred.
Answering Mr. J. Bell (manager), witness agreed that what had occurred was likely to do so at any time in that place, and it was up to them to expect “bumps” and to take necessary precautions.
The deputy on that shift, Edward Howitt, Campsall Fields Road, Wath, said the place was properly timbered, it was a good face and he found no slips or breaks when he examined it. He thought that after the first piece of coal came down, the other piece burst off, being liberated by the first. That piece could not have been seen before the accident. Tilson, in his opinion, should have been standing a little further away for safety’s sake. There had been no similar bursts previously in that place, but he agreed with the coroner that it was a danger that might arise at any moment. It was an accident that could not be prevented.
Mr. Bell suggested that the “burst” was not a “bump” and that it was a regular happening. It was a normal process of coal getting and that was why Tilson should have been further away. “But I am not suggesting that there was anything wrong in what he did.”
Dr. S. McNorton, house surgeon at the Montagu Hospital said Tilson was conscious on admittance. He had abdominal injuries and superficial abrasions on the left shoulder and thigh. No bones were broken but there were distinct symptoms of internal rupture which was the cause of death. He suffered also from severe shock and nothing could be done for him.
The coroner remarked that the accident was liable to happen at any time and could not be prevented. “No matter how careful men may be, these will continue.”
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”