Mexborough & Swinton Times, January 12, 1918

Fatality at Manvers Main

Fall of Roof.

An inquest was held on Thursday at the Montagu Hospital, before Mr F Allen, Coroner , touching the death of Peter Donnelly, aged, 53, of 25, Moor road. Wath-on-Dearne, who was fatally injured at Manvers Main No. 2 pit, and died on Tuesday at the Hospital, soon after being admitted.

Annie .Kenworthy  of Moor road, \Vat It, gave evidence of identification.

Percy Clegg, of West t Melton, said he was tramming with deceased at the time of the accident at No. 71 stall in the North-west district.        Deceased ‘was holing at the time of the accident, about mid-day. The “face” was overhanging and was spragged.

The deputy came round at nine o’clock first, and then just before the accident. Deceased was getting some top-softs down at, the time and had set props as desired.

About 6 cwt. Of coal fell and it struck deceased on the back and legs. Witness was two yards away. He went to deceased and “eased” him a little. He was carried out in. about five minutes. He was badly injured. The place was properly timbered. Deceased repeatedly tested the roof. There was no “sound” of any likely trouble.

Jonathan. Cooper, of Wath, deputy at the pit, and he was in charge of the district referred to where the accident happener he saw the face was overhanging and told deceased to a prop. The man said said he had been going to set the prop because he saw the necessity of it. He thought the instruction were sufficient. Witness was called to the place after the accident. The piece that fell would weigh a ton. Two props had been set.

The Matron of the Hospital said deceased had a temple and abdominal injuries. He died a few minutes after admission.

A verdict of `’Accidental death” was returned.