Sheffield Independent – Saturday 02 February 1884
Buried Alive at Denaby Colliery.
On Thursday afternoon a report was spread amongst the colliers in the pit at Denaby to the effect that one of their number had been buried alive by a fall of debris whilst drawing “props.” Work was at once ceased, and there was speedily plenty of willing hands energetically engaged endeavouring to extricate the unfortunate miner. It seems that a married man named Geo. Parr, with three others, was removing timber which had been placed under the “roof” to prevent “a fall,” and that the whole had nearly been withdrawn, when his mates were alarmed to see him suddenly entombed by a large quantity of “bind” and stone, which dropped without giving any previous warning. The officials were immediately informed of the accident, and the work of extrication was commenced without delay.
But the task was made exceedingly laborious and dangerous, for no sooner had one shovelful of dirt been removed than fresh “cracks” occurred, and more debris dropped. Picks and shovels were busy with the heap for four hours ere the poor fellow could be liberated, and none of the party expected to then find him alive. To their great astonishment and intense satisfaction, however, it was seen that the “props” had so far shielded him by forming a kind of arch over him that he had been enabled to breathe, though so closely hemmed in. He was almost completely exhausted by being so long incarcerated. He was conscious the whole time, but when taken out was suffering excruciating pain. Having been drawn up the pit, he was carried to his home at Denaby and attended by the colliery surgeon. On Thursday it was difficult for the medical man to tell the full extent of the injuries, but it is conjectured that the internal injuries are such that he must succumb.