Mexborough and Swinton Tines, May 20th, 1932
Accident At Denaby Main
Rope Runner’s Death
An inquest was held at Sheffield on Wednesday by Mr. J. Kenyon Parker and a jury on Joseph Hudson (18), rope-runner, lodging at 3, Regent Place, Mexborough, who died in the Sheffield Infirmary on Monday from injuries received in an accident at Denaby Colliery on May 11th.
A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.
Arthur Prosser, 39, Oliver Street, Mexborough, uncle, said he saw Hudson in the Fullerton Hospital the day after the accident, and when he asked him what happened, Hudson said he thought the rope swung. He knew no more till he was under the rope. He was moved from the Fullerton Hospital to Sheffield Infirmary on the doctor’s advice on May 12th.
William Henry Cooke (45), 3, Hewitt Street, Mexborough, deputy, said on May 11th about 11.30 he was called to 25’s gate and found Hudson lying at the top of the gate with ambulance men attending him.
In reply to Mr. T Cawthrope, H.M. Inspector, Cooke said it was difficult to find how the accident occurred. He thought Hudson must have heard something fall on the rails and that must have caused him to turn back, with the result that he was caught by the tubs,
Replying to Mr. N. Hulley, representing the Colliery Company, Cooke said he carried out the under-manager’s instructions that boys be warned to keep 40 yards in front of tubs.
Thomas Eery (25) 33, Doncaster Road, Denaby, corporal, said on May 11th he was getting ready a run of empties. There were 18 empties and one of dirt. He told Hudson to run down in front of the tubs to hold the door. He saw Hudson open the door about 60 yards away, then rapped the run down. He followed behind the run. When the tubs gad gone abut 50 yards they closed up. He shouted to see if anyone was in front and got no reply. He rapped the run back, and when it had drawn back about 18 tubs’ length, he saw Hudson lying face down between the rails. He lifted him up and gave him a drink. He thought Hudson must have turned round thinking he heard some dirt fall, and the run must have knocked him down.
Dr. Carlisle, of the Infirmary staff, said a post-mortem examination revealed that death was due to rupture of the liver followed by haemorrhage and toxaemia. The injury was probably due to crushing.
The coroner said no one knew exactly what had happened. To the jury he said “You must remember a coal mine is not like this court. You are in the dark there.”