Mexborough and Swinton Times November 7, 1908
Crushed By Runaway Tubs.
How Did The Accident Happen?
At the conclusion of the inquiry at Mexboro’, Mr. Wightman proceeded to Denaby, and conducted an inquest at the Denaby Main Institute on the body of Joseph Burton, aged 33, residing at 53, Tickhill street, Denaby, who died as the result of being knocked down by some runaway tubs in the western district of the Cadeby mine, on the previous Wednesday. Mr. Walker and Mr. Witty were again in attendance.
David Burton, who lives at Denaby, said the deceased was his brother, and was 33 years of age. He had been working as a clipper at Cadeby Colliery, and had been engaged in that work for one or two years. At about 10-30 on the previous Wednesday morning, witness heard that his brother had met with an accident, and was seriously lamed. He went home to get a bed ready for deceased, but the latter was dead before the house was reached.
Oliver Keith said he was also a clipper, and worked with deceased. At about 9 a.m. on the Wednesday witness and deceased were in 92 West District Engine Plane. Deceased hung the clip on two full tubs, and they went along up the plane. When they had got about 30yards, however, they commenced to run back again, and before deceased could get out of the way he was pinned underneath the first tub. Witness was also knocked down. Assistance was obtained, and in about a quarter of an hour’s time deceased was removed. Burton was not killed on the spot, but after being knocked down he could do nothing but groan.
The witness was questioned at some length by the Inspector and Coroner concerning details of the accident. He produced a clip similar to that used in connection with the tubs in question, and demonstrated its use to the jury. He expressed the opinion that if there had been some “Jack catches” in between where the tubs started to run away, and were deceased was knocked down, the accident could not have happened. He had never known the tubs to run back at that spot before. Deceased was careful, and knew his work properly. He did not know what the gradient of the plane was. He thought it was likely that deceased was trying to get into the refuge hole, but did not manage it. There was no one else there at the time. The accident appeared to him to have been caused by the clip slipping. It the clip was not fastened properly there was no one to blame but deceased, who fastened it on the tubs himself.
A deputy of the Cadeby Colliery, who was called as the next witness, said he arrived on the spot about 9-10. He found Burton lying on the floor insensible. He also saw the two tubs that had knocked deceased down. Having heard the evidence of the last witness he must come to the conclusion either that deceased did not tighten his clip properly, or that he had it on a splice. Either or both these things could have caused the accident. He attributed the accident to an oversight on the part of deceased, who was usually careful. The total weight of the tubs and the dirt they contained would be about 30 cwt. The nearest “Jack catches ” would be about 60yds from where deceased was. It had never occurred to him that it would be safer to have additional “Jack catches” at this point.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”
It was stated that, since the accident, additional Jack catches had been provided at the spot in question.
The Funeral.
The deceased was buried on Sunday afternoon, at the Denaby Main Cemetery. Burton was very popular among his workmates and comrades, and was well-known and highly respected in Denaby, and his sudden death came as a great shock to all. The Rev. J. Brookes, Vicar of Denaby Main, officiated at the graveside, and the cemetery was crowded with friends of the deceased. The coffin was of pitchpine with brass fittings, and was borne to the grave by eight of the young fellow’s pit-mates, with forty fellow-workmen following as a last token of sympathy and respect.
The chief mourners were Mrs. Ann Burton (widowed mother), Mr. David Burton (brother), Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hewitt (son and brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Robinson Burton (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. Henry Holland, Mr. and Mrs. W. Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Allchurch, Mrs. Mann, Mr. and Mrs. Wraithwell, Miss H. Holland, Mr. I. Carter, Mrs. Carter, Mr. L. Harris, Mr. and Mrs. D. Venables, Mrs. Fisher, Mr. Barlow, Mr. J. W. Barlow, Mrs. Parker, Miss A. Carter, Miss M. Holland, Mrs. C. H. Carter, Mr. and Mrs. John Butterfield, and the deceased’s fellow-workmen.
Several beautiful wreaths were placed on the graveside, including a large artificial one from the Cadeby Colliery workmen, and one from the mother and family.