Mexborough & Swinton – Saturday 01 March 1941
Choked By False Teeth.
Denaby Man Crushed Under Fall
Giving evidence at an inquest at Conisborough on Saturday on Richard Talbot Gibson (32) coal cutter, 37, Firbeck Street. Denaby, who was killed by a fall of roof in the Parkgate Seam at the Denaby Main Colliery last Thursday, Benjamin Atack deputy, 19, Grenfell Avenue. Mexborough, said the roof was damp at the point where the fall had occurred and this may have caused it to collapse. The place was well timbered.
The inquiry was conducted by the Doncaster District Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile), who recorded a verdict of “Accidental death.”
Others present were Mr. N. Miley (manager of the colliery). Mr. F. Storey (H.M. Inspector of Mines). and Mr. J. T. E. Collins (secretary of the Denaby Main branch of the Yorkshire Mineworkers’ Association).
Samuel Bell, filler, of Minney Moor Lane. Conisborough, said he was working on the night shift in No. 4’s district in the Parkgate Seam with Gibson. They examined the place before starting work at 11 p.m. and were satisfied that it was all right. They went to fetch a hosepipe to connect it to the air main. When they returned Gibson said. “You carry on and get the track off the top side of the cutting.” Another hosepipe connected with the main was wedged between the coal cutter and a prop and Gibson went to liberate it when the place collapsed and completely buried him. Witness heard a groan but could not get over the fall. He had to go another way round for assistance and Gibson was got out after about an hour. There was no warning at all and there were bars supporting the roof all the way along. The fall dislodged three bars. It was a ‘weight’ roof and there would be about 18 inches of coal and a foot of bind on top of that. He did not notice any breaks in the roof after the fall, although the roof was damp.
Mr Collins asked if there was any trickling of water there and witness replied that there was not.
Benjamin Atack said Gibson was found lying face downwards across the belt and was dead. The fall extended about four yards along the belt, was five feet wide and about a yard thick. He examined the place afterward and found that three bars had been dislodged, one having been broken. The place, was well timbered and safe. The roof was damp and this may have caused it to collapse.
Dr. D. T. Clarke said he examined the body on the way to the mortuary. There were no external injuries, except for large abrasions on the back. Gibson’s artificial teeth had been jammed at the back of his throat and death was due to asphyxia.