Hi
While searching for something completely unrelated, I came across the following Manton accident and death that doesn’t appear in the database.
Thomas Perkins, aged 58, of 20 Sandy Lane, Worksop was crushed in a roof fall on 10th January 1933, the inquest report appearing in the Worksop Guardian dated Friday 20th January 1933.
Regards
 Stephen Sullivan
Library Service Adviser
Worksop Library
FALL OF ROOF.
Worksop Miners Death in Hospital.
SEQUEL TO COLLIERY ACCIDENT.
 HOW- a fall of stone crushed a miner at Manton Colliery on January 10th, and how the man subsequently died in the Worksop Victoria Hospital was described at an inquest, which the District Coroner, Mr. Eliot G. Warburton, conducted at the Worksop Police Station on Monday afternoon.
The inquest had reference to the death on Friday of Thomas Perkins, miner, aged 58, of 20, Sandy Lane, Worksop, who had worked at the Colliery since the pit was sunk.
Mr. J. Pickering, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Mr. J. Rutter (representing the manager and agent of the Colliery, Ald. F. S. W. Dobbs), and Mr. R. Burlington (representing the Yorkshire Miners’ Association), were present, Mr. H Makin was the foreman of the jury, and Inspector J. Pickering represented the Police.
Evidence of Identification was given by Annie Pearson (wife of John Harold Pearson), daughter of deceased, with whom she lived. Witness added that she was present when deceased died in the Hospital on Friday night. He had not complained of illness before going to work on the morning of the accident.
Harry Booth, stallman, 25, Clinton Street, Worksop, said on Jan. 10th, he was working with deceased in 58’s gate. Deceased was pushing an empty tub and witness was in front. Quite suddenly, he heard a bang and a moan, and discovered that deceased had been caught by a fall of roof. A large stone had fallen and deceased was buried. With assistance, the stone, which was five fact long, was removed.
The Coroner: Do you know what caused the fall?—No, air.
Did the tubs catch a prop?—No, sir.
By the Foreman: The tub, which broke the force of the fall, was overturned.
By H.M. Inspector: The roof was of bind, and weight brakes were liable to occur.
Witness examined the place before the accident. No timber had been knocked out after the accident; the stone ran out two props.
The Inspector: You say that two props were ran out by the stone - Yes
Were they inefficient props then?—-Oh, no. What will be will be.
The Inspector: But there is a cause for everything? - I think it was an act of God.
If those props had remained in and stood up would they have held the stone?—Yes.
Witness added that he had never seen such a fall at the gate end; it was, in fact, the first fall. It was a strong roof.
By Mr. Burlington: There was no movement and no bump.
Witness added that the man was alive when the stone was removed. He was hurried to the Victoria Hospital in the ambulance first aid being rendered at once.
Thomas Spellman stallman 81, Forest Lane, Manton said he went into the stall before the last witness and heard the fall of stone. The place was timbered to his satisfaction, and they had no fear, in going underneath.
The Coroner: Was the man in his usual good health before he started work?—Yes, he was as Jolly as usual.
By Mr. Burlington: There was ample room for the tubs to go in.
Dr. Margery L Maltby, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said on admission deceased was suffering from a fracture of the left leg, and two ribs on his left side, and abrasions on his back. The leg was set and the ribs strapped. He received every attention, but pneumonia developed, and he died on Friday. She had made a post mortem, by order of the Coroner, Dr. G. L. Kemp being present. The cause of death was pneumonia, the base of both lungs being affected. Witness also found atheroma of the aorta. The cause of death was pneumonia, aggravated by the fractures. Judging by the condition of the lungs, deceased must have had the pneumonia before the accident— perhaps for a week. There was no perforating wound of the chest.
The Coroner: A man can have pneumonia and go on working?—Oh, yes; it was in an early stage.
Charles Ellis, deputy, 67, Potter Street, Worksop, said he examined the roof a few hours before the accident, and found it quite satisfactory and in order.
The ripping lip was timbered in the usual manner, and there were no weight brakes.
Upon examination of the roof the same day, witness formed the opinion that the fall took place from alongside a weight brake, and was formed by the ordinary advance of the face. He did not think the stone was out of balance on the props. The fall could not be anticipated or guarded against and every precaution had been taken.
The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”
On behalf of the management, Mr. Rutter expressed sympathy with the relatives, and said deceased had worked at the Colliery since it was sunk.
The Coroner and Mr. Burlington supported Sir. Rutter’s remarks, and said Mr. Booth was to be congratulated upon his remarkable escape —indeed, he escaped by two or three seconds.
The Coroner: Yes, it was a marvellous escape.
See also Bob Bradley, History of Manton |
