Cadeby Colliery Fatality – Filler Buried By Fall of Roof

October 1907

Mexborough and Swinton Times October 26, 1907

Cadeby Colliery Fatality
Filler Buried By Fall of Roof

At the Fullerton Hospital, on Wednesday, Mr. – J. Kenyon. Parker, Deputy Coroner, held inquest relative to the death of David Mason, employed as a dataller at Cadeby, which occurred in. the hospital on. Saturday morning, from the effects of injuries received in the pit the previous afternoon.

There were present Mr. J. Mellors,.H.M. Inspector of Mines; Mr. A. IL Barnard (agent), and Mr. H. S. Witty (manager), representing the Colliery Company.

Lawman Mason, father of deceased, said his son was 22 years of age, and was employed at Cadeby Colliery. He lodged at Hatherton street, Conisboro’. He came to work at the colliery in May, previous to which he had been in service.

Ernest Trout, 111, Park road, Conisboro’,miner, employed at Cadeby Colliery, said the deceased was his filler. Last Friday they were in the pit, at their working place. They went in about a quarter to three in the afternoon. Deceased was filling his fourth tub about 4-20 p.m., when a piece of coal “burst off the buttock.” It was not holed. As witness saw the coal move, he shouted. “Look out, David.” The coal did not fall the way expected. Deceased made a spring back, and said “Oh, dear.’ Witness did not see the coal strike him, because of the dirt. He went to his assistance, and in reply to the question whether he was hurt deceased said “Yes, in the legs.” The left thigh was broken.
Deceased did rot complain of any other injury

Witness sent for the ambulance and splints and bandages, and when they came be and the deputy (both of whom had had. ambulance training) attended to deceased, , who was removed in .he ambulance.

He’ was taken to the Fullerton Hospital as soon as possible. witness afterwards went back to the scene of the accident, and examined the spot. The accident. was caused by a weight bump, which had made the coal burst- off. He saw no natural slip, but there was a weight. break, which he had rounded with his pick about ten, minute or a quarter of an hour before the accident.
Witness then thought it was all right.
In reply to the Inspector, witness said he and the deputy bandaged deceased head, and made him as comfortable as possible. The coal that came down was net that which witness had previously spragged up.

Miss Jessie Ellen Sheard, a nurse at the Fullerton Hospital, said she was with deceased when he died, at one o’clock. on Saturday morning. He was admitted at 7-30 on Friday evening. He was suffering from a broken thigh and severe grazing to the back. He died from the injuries and shock.

Thomas McKenzie, deputy, Cadeby Colliery, said he examined the place the Morning after the accident. It had not been touched in the meantime. The slip and the weight-break caused the accident. Witness also saw the place previous .to the accident, on Friday morning at twenty to one. There was nothing there to show a slip, as the coal was up. Prout was a careful man.

A verdict of ‘Accidental death” was returned.