Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 12 July 1929

Killed By Fall

Accident During Precautions

Swinton Man’s Death

Mr. W. H. Carlile held an inquest on George Taylor (30), 43, Manor Road Swinton, at the Montagu Hospital on Monday who was fatally injured in the Manvers Main mine on Monday.

James Reader, of the same address, gave evidence of identification, and said he had known deceased for two years, Taylor having lived with him since last November. They were working together in No. 47 stall, and when the accident occurred were about two yards apart. The time was 7-15 a.m. Witness had examined the place and found it quite safe except for some overhanging dirt on the coal side, which he went over carefully with his pick but he could not pull it down with a Sylvester, so he thought it safe. He called to deceased to remove the dirt, and was going to set a prop. They cleared the tools away. There was a bump, and when witness turned the fall took place. Deceased happened to be bending, and had he been standing he would not have been struck. A bump caused the fall of dirt. Deceased was carried out to the sheets.

Mr. P. L. Collinson (H.M. Inspector of Mines): How did you try the stone?—l used my pick and tried to pull it down, and then with the bar.

Walter Parkin, Vernon Road, Wath-on-Dearne, deputy, said he did not inspect the place until five minutes after the accident. The fall of roof had taken place at the coal face, and the stone, which was four foot square, fell on deceased’s head. The roof was not overhanging. A sprag had just been removed and a prop was ready to he set. The work had been done properly.

Thomas William Parker, York Street, Mexborough, said he had inspected the place at 4-50 p.m. on the night shift and thought the piece was quite safe. It was properly timbered and a sprag was set up. Unfortunately the accident occurred when the men were about to set the prop.

Dr. Dorothy Colver said Taylor was admitted to the hospital at 10-30 on Friday morning, unconscious and suffering from cerebral irritation, there was evidence of bleeding from the nose and ears. He had two black eyes, and the base of the skull was fractured. He died at 12-30 on Sunday morning, from inter-cranial haemorrhage due to fracture of the skull.

The Coroner said it was a case in which an accident occurred while the men were taking precautions. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.