South Yorkshire Times, December 23rd, 1932
Escaping From Fall
Broken Ribs Stab Heart and Lungs
Denaby Miner’s Death
It was suggested that Arthur Holmes (60), Miner, 11, Braithwell Street. Denaby Hain was not fatally injured by a fall of coal in Denaby Main Colliery on December 13th, but by having slipped and fallen heavily in getting out of the way at the inquest on Saturday at Fullerton hospital
The jury returned a verdict of ‘Accidental death.”
Among those present were Mr.P.L. Collinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines; Mr. N. Willey, manager. Denaby Colliery; and Mr. A. Smith, Y.M.A.
Emma Holmes (widow), gave evidence of identification.
Herbert Deckhouse, 17.Sprotborongh Street. Denaby, said he was working near Holmes when the accident occurred. “About 7.40 p.m. I heard a fall. It was about two yards from me but I did not see it. I turned round because I had heard Holmes shout, ‘Oh!’ and went to see what had happened to him. He had gone to get a hammer prior to the fall. He was lying down on his left side with his head between the tub-road and his feet against a prop.” The fall was only a small one and had come from the coal face. No timber had been dislodged. “I had been working at that place only twenty minutes before I had left it to take my tub out.” When he left it the place was apparently safe and was not overhanging. It was not loose. The coal was very hard.” Holmes had none of the fall on his body, as the fall was in one solid piece. Holmes, who was unconscious, had no marks to show where he had been injured.
The Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile): Do you think he has been hit by the coal?—I do not, sir. I think he tripped up in trying to get out of the road of the fall. One of his boots was around a prop. The floor is very smooth and a bit wet.
Thomas Shepherd. 17. Annerley Street. Denaby, said that about 7.30 there were no empty tube so he suggested they all go into the stall and get more coal. Holmes replied to witness, “I’ll see to my gate-end bar.” Another workmate said he had set the bar too high, to which Holmes replied that he would have to get his trammer. Shortly afterwards witness heard a voice shout, “Come here quick, Tom.” On going to the place, witness saw Holmes lying in the tub road with a workmate holding his head. Holmes was gasping for breath. Witness and other miners gave first-aid and also sent for further assistance and ambulance men. The fall would weigh about eight cwts and was in one piece. Witness agreed, with previous witness that the man’s injuries were caused by his tripping up when endeavouring to get away from the fall.
William Hanson. 16, West Street, Conisborough, deputy, said he had examined the place where the accident occurred at 4.45 p.m. It was well timbered and apparently safe. After the fall no timber had been dislodged, “There must have been a burst in the face.” The floor was damp and soft and a man with heavy boots would be liable to slip on It.
Dr. J. MacArthur. Denaby, gave evidence of examining Holmes at the Fullerton Hospital. He had four ribs fractured on the left side which had penetrated the heart and lungs. In his opinion death would be almost instantaneous, and due to heart failure following injuries. “It appears from the injuries that he has slipped and fallen heavily on the rail on his left side. There was nothing to show he had been struck by the coal.” The Coroner, addressing the jury said there was no doubt that the man slipped and so received his injuries. The only verdict was “Accidental death.”
The jury, after a short retirement, agreed.