South Yorkshire Times February 20th 1965
Overman saved miner, but died in Denaby roof fall
Robert Gill, a 63-year-old overman, died a hero in a roof fall at Denaby main, an inquest jury was told at Conisbrough on Friday. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death” on Gill, of 26, Tickhill Street, Denaby, who, said the Doncaster District Coroner Mr. K.D. Potter, “acted in the highest tradition of the mining industry”.
Ronald Hinks, a fitter, of Braithwell Street, Denaby, who was caught by the same fall on Monday week, said that Gill pushed him to safety as the roof came down, and the Coroner commented: “I have been deeply moved by the evidence of Hinks and the way in which Mr. Gill acted.
“He obviously acted in the highest tradition of the mining industry, as I am sure the rescue teams did, and no tribute is too high for all of them.”
Mr. J.G. Tyrell, representing the N.C.B., and Mr. C. Woods, Yorks area agent of N.A.C.O.D.S., also paid tribute to the heroism of Mr. Gill, and Mr. Tyrell said: “It is not often one hears of heroism in times of peace but this surely was that and he undoubtedly saved the life of Hinks.”
Pathologist, Dr. Henry Lederer, said Gill had been crushed by the fall and cause of death was asphyxia. There was evidence of pneumoconiosis and although this may have affected his breathing when he was trapped by a fall it was only a probable factor in his death.
ROOF MOVED
Hinks, aged 26, said he, Gill and a ripper, Ivan Critchley, of William Street, Swinton, were preparing a tub track through to the coal-face and after clearing away a fall of dirt were having a trial run with the tub. The tub jammed and Critchley started to clear away the side of the track when he saw the roof move.
He and Gill were behind the tub, Critchley in front of it. “I saw the roof move and started to clear out. Gill grabbed me by the arms and pushed me to the side, out of the way of the main fall. I fell into a sitting position with my head between my knees and a pocket of air between my knees kept me alive.
“Mr. Gill saved my life. I could hear him shouting: “Don’t move lad, don’t move at all,” and that was the last I heard from him apart from moaning.”
He said he later tried to struggle free but it was impossible. After about half an hour the rescuers reached him and he was released about half an hour later.
Critchley, and deputy William Hayes, of Hope Street, Mexboro’, said they had no reason to worry about roof conditions before the fall. In evidence both of the men said they thought the roof was properly supported.
MANAGER’S EVIDENCE
Desmond McTighe, the colliery manager, said it had been impossible to give the spot a critical examination after the fall because of the uncertain state of the roof, but he and a mining inspector had that morning (Monday) inspected the spot thoroughly.
“At the spot where this fall occurred we found a definite pothole, almost cylindrical in shape and about 18 inches in diameter. Geologists believe that these are formed by tree trunks and it is a very definite weakness in the strata. I am sure it would not have been possible to spot this weakness before-hand,” he said.
He was satisfied that the support rules were adequate for the spot and that his instructions had been carried out.