Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 30 May 1930

Too Eager To Help.

Swinton Miner Trapped in “Paddy’s Mail”

Killed On His Birthday

An inquest wat held at Swinton on Wednesday by Mr. J. Kenyon Parker, into the death of Richard Warren (55), dataller,14 Slade Swinton , who was fatally injured in the Manvers Main Colliery late Sunday night.

The Coroner was a jury, and there were also present M r L. Collision (H.M. Inspector of Mime), Mr. G. Price (manager), and Mr. T. Critchley (local Y.M.A. official).

Ivy Langley, a daughter, who resided her father, gave evidence of identification. She said her father was 55 on Sunday. He had worked at Manvere Main for 15 months, and left home for work there about 7.30 on Sunday night. About 1.45 the following morning, she received news of an accident to her father.

William Oldfield, 69. Charles Street. Swinton, a dataller, said he had had 38 years’ experience in collieries. He had no Warren for eight years and was with him at the time of the accident.

The Coroner: Is anyone to blame?— No, I think it was a pure accident.

Witnes said that night he was in the mail train with Warren and another man. Warren was in a sitting position in the middle of one coach, facing the right-hand side. The train almost came to a stop, and Warren called out. “Keep it going.” The train drew on slowly, and when it had moved about ‘five yards further, he heard a cry from Warren. He went to the man, who was on his feet in a stooping position, fast between a girder holding the roof and crossbar in the coach. The coach was going back and Warren liberated, but he died shortly after words.

Mr. Collinson: In this place where accident happened, do you know that there is only two inches clearance between girders and tube? —l cannot say.

Is there only a small clearance? —Yes.

Are two inches sufficient clearance— The mail runs through all right. It would better a little higher.

The Coroner, How long have trains run through this spot? —About 10 years to my knowledge, and no one else has been killed in this way.

Joseph Allsopp, of 54, Crossland Street, Swinton, a dataller with 40 years’ colliery experience, gave similar evidence. He was with Warren and Oldfield in the same tub.

The Current! What did Warren mean by shouting, “Keep it going” —The idea was to assist the mail down by pulling on the group girders. I suppose Warren was doing this when he got caught!—lt looked very much like that but I was surprised when I saw him in that position. I never heard him get up.

Mr. Price: That is definitely against tie regulation?—Yes.

Albert Mansbridge, 8. Burman Road, Wath, colliery deputy, said that Warren’s skull was fractured. There were nine coaches in the train and he was sitting in the third from the rear. When the train began to stop in 9th South Flats he was preparing to get out, when it suddenly jerked forward. He heard a shout of “Stop the mail,” which he did. He then found Warren in the position described by Oldfield. He expressed the opinion that Warren stood up and pushed at the girder to jerk it forward. He was then caught. “When a train stopped as it did on Sunday night, it was my duty to take men to the front of the train and pull it on. That was why I was getting out.

The Coroner: Do here blame the man for doing this? Was it an accident or not? —lt was an accident. He was too eager to help.

Mr. Collinson: How long has there been only two inches clearance in this place— Two or three months. There is sufficient height for the men because they have warned to keep their heads down.

Is it sufficient for safety?—Well, yes I think so.

Would one inch clearance the safe? – Yes, at the speed we travel down there.

Have you seen men push at the girders before? – No.

The Coroner said the point about clearance was one for the management and the inspector to settle.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.