Mexborough and Swinton Times April 26, 1929
Terrific “Bump”
West Melton Miner hit by Half-Ton Lump.
Wath Main Accident.
“An unavoidable accident” was the description given to a fall of root at Wath Main _Colliery on April 11th, which led to the death of James Wm. Catling (49), a miner, of 18, Carnelly Street, West Melton. “The inquest was held at the Montagu hospital on Wednesday, by Mr W.H. Carlisle, assisted by a jury. There were also present Mr C.W.S cott, H.M.Inspector of Mines; Mr C Martin, manager of Wath Main Colliery, and Mr H. Braithwaite, representing the Y.M.A.
Eva Catling, the widow, said her husband left his home about 5. a.m. on April 11 for Wath Main. He was in good health. She heard of the accident later in the day and saw her husband at the Montagu Hospital at 5-45 p.m. He was conscious, but never mentioned the accident.
Dr. Dorothy Colver, house surgeon at the hospital, said Catling was admitted on the 11th. He was suffering from a broken left leg and severe internal injuries. Death took place on the 23rd and was caused by shock and internal injuries.
John Kelly and 57 cemetery Road, Wath said that at the time of the accident he was only a yard away from deceased. “Both of us were stood up,” he said, “and Catling had a pick in his hand. He was just sounding the coal when a terrific bump occurred and was followed by a fall of coal. This came from a slip and fell on Catling. I had a narrow escape, the coal catching me as it dropped. It was one big piece of coal and weighed about 10 hundredweight. It knocked Catling to the ground and caught him over the body. There was only his head to be seen. I got him out, and he was taken from the pit.”
In Kelly’s opinion the bump was the cause of the fall . The accident happened at noon. Witness had seen several cracks n the coal face, and he and Catling had stripped some of it off. They then could not see any cracks or any signs that it was loose.
In answer to the inspector Kelly said there was a good supply of timber in the place. They had done their best to prevent an accident.
Mr. Braithwaite: You thought you had come to the end of this slip when you stripped it ?—Yes. There was nothing else to be seen.
John Jones, deputy, of 106, Barnsley Road, West Melton, said he visited the place about 10-45 a.m. The place was in good working order and he could not find any fault with it. He noticed the slip and spoke to the men about it. He told them to be careful. Catling and Kelly were very experienced and trusted workmen. He reached the scene of the accident about 12-30 p.m. Catling, was lying on his back and only complained of the broken leg. Witness particularly asked him if he had any other injuries or pains, and Catling said not. Questioned on the accident, Catling said it was just a simple fall. Witness had examined the place since and what he had seen was consistent with the evidence that it had been caused by a bump. It was an unavoidable accident.
H.M. Inspector: Don’t you think the man took a risk in standing in front of the coal when he had been trying to strip it ?—Well, sir, it was not holed, and there was nothing to indicate that a bump was coming. If the coal had been holed he would have been taking a risk.
The Coroner said that from the evidence it was clear that the case was very simple and that the jury would have little difficulty in arriving at verdict.
A verdict sofa “Accidental death” was returned.
Expressions of sympathy with the relatives were given.