Inquest Reports From Newspapers Re Nottinghamshire Fatal Accidents 1800-1900

South Nottinghamshire Echo - Saturday 13 March 1915

Killed in Gedling Pit Hyson Green, Youth Buried by Seven Tons of Bind. A Patriotic Family

Herbert Teggart

An Inquest was held at the Chesterfield Arms, Gedling, on Herbert Teggart, a ganger aged 16 who lived at 64, Lenton Street, Hyson Green. There was present Mr. H. Knight (Agent and manager of the colliery) Mr. Frazer (H.M. Inspector of Mines) Mr. Elliott Smith (Solicitor) and Mr. L. Spencer (Nott’s Miners Association). Mrs. Alice Ann Allen of 64, Lenton Street, Hyson Green, mother of the deceased said she had been married twice. Her son had told her on several occasions how dangerous life was at Gedling, only recently he had a narrow escape from a fall of coal, and two years ago had an arm broken in the pit. Her second husband was in the Navy, and she also had three sons in the Army. The deceased had been a good lad, and was respected by everyone, she only had one boy at home now. Herbert Smith aged 19, of 23, Belvoir Street, Mapperley, said he was a corporal on No 96 district of the Gedling pit. At about 5-10pm. last Tuesday afternoon Teggart was about to fetch his pony which had started off and there was a sudden crash. He thought at least seven tons of bind fell and deceased was completely buried, whilst the pony was partly covered. Witness shouted several times, but got no reply, and then went and fetched assistance. Three quarters of an hour elapsed before they could extricate the lad, and he was then dead. Witness was only about a yard away from where the fall occurred. The deceased was one of the best gangers on the road. Witness denied that the tub had caught a bent or broken prop. Ernest Fox, a trap door opener, of Quernaby Road, Mapperley aged 14, also gave evidence. Albert Burgin, of 3, Plains Road Mapperley, said he was a deputy in 96 district, and inspected the roof near where the accident happened at 5 pm. when everything appeared to be safe. In his opinion the fall was caused by the liberation of the sides which made the middle give way. It was a sudden pressure caused by the strata giving way in the process of nature’s movements. In summing up the Coroner (Mr. D.Whittingham) said the Gedling pit was a well managed colliery though a trifle unfortunate. Everything possible should be done to make collieries safe, as companies must not kill men, for the sake of making money. The cause of the accident appeared to have a sudden force of nature, which had moved the strata. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death” and the foreman of the jury (Mr Harry Thompson) expressed sympathy with the relatives. Mr Elliott also expressed sympathy with the mother, and said the case was particularly sad, as the family appeared to be doing a great deal for King and Country. On viewing the body of her son, Mrs. Allen sobbed piteously, and frequently broke down during the course of the enquiry.