Mexborough and Swinton Times, November 24.
The Man Killed at Denaby.
An inquest was held on Friday, at the Sportsman’s Inn, and with road, Mexborough, before Mr D Wightman, district coroner, touching the death of John Barker, miner, who was killed by a fall of coal in the Denaby pit on the previous Tuesday.
Mr Rogers, a foreman of the jury; plans showing the position of the accident in the colliery were shown; and there were also present Messrs G.Gerrard, government inspector of mines, in the absence of Mr F.N.Wardell, Chambers, manager for the company, and Superintendent Sykes, of Doncaster.
Six witnesses were ready; but only four were called.
Agnes Barker the first witness called, related that she was the daughter of the deceased John Barker, who she last saw in good health on Tuesday morning at 5.30. Her father was 42 years of age, and had only worked in the bottom Denaby Main pit about three weeks, although he had been a miner several years. She attached no blame to anyone.
James Hodson, a fitter, said he was filler for William Parker. He worked with Barker, who was also a trammer.
The accident occurred about one o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. George Farnell, the pony driver, was present, and he and the deceased were lifting the tubs on the flat sheets together, when a fall of bags occurred. It only gave a slight warning over my head; a bump came on the roof. He ran toward me. A lump court Barker on the head and knocked him on the flat sheet. About three tubs fell. The only sport once and said his foot was fast, and that was when I was lifting about 1 hundredweight from his head.
They had plenty of wood set. The deputy (William Oswald) went round at 1230, and had examined the place. He told them to be careful. We neither of us saw any danger. The fall came up to a slip. They knew of the slip, but the place was propped well. The fall came in between the props.
In reply to the Government Inspector, witness said the bump heard was exactly over the tub. It did not strike them that the gateway was safer than the face. That was the only bump heard near the place. There was not any weight at all, and no cracking whatever in the roof. About 6 foot of the bags fell, better than a foot thick.
In reply to the Foreman, he said he did not blame anyone. In reply to Mr Dykes, he said the props were of due width.
William Oswald the day, deputy, said that he was at the place where the fall occurred, at 12 noon on Tuesday. He saw Barker filling a corve. He examined the place, and found it to his satisfaction. He ordered them to set a prop, but that was about 18 yards from the spot. He considered that the place was safe. He had seen the place since. The accident the witness said, was caused by the slips in the roof coming across each way. No more props could have been set. One of the props under the fall was uncapped and another broken.
The inspector at this stage, said he was perfectly satisfied, and the coroner agreed. A verdict of accidental death was at once returned