Fatal fall of Roof at Cadeby – Denaby Collier’s Death from Injuries – Coroner’s Inquiry

January 1905

Mexborough and Swinton Times January 28, 1905

Fatal fall of Roof at Cadeby.
Denaby Collier’s Death from Injuries – Coroner’s Inquiry.

On Saturday at the Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, Mr. J. Kenyon Parker, deputy district coroner, held an inquiry touching the death of Charles Henry Dawson, thirty four, a Cadeby miner, of 14 Melton View, Denaby Main, who died in the hospital shortly after admittance the previous Thursday, suffering from a broken leg and internal injuries, sustained through a fall of roof in the Cadeby pit earlier in the day.

There were present at the inquiry:-

Mr. W. Walker – H.M. Inspector of Mines, and Mr. H.S. Witty – representing the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries Company Ltd.

Lily Dawson, wife of the deceased, said her husband was thirty four last birthday, and was a miner employed at the Cadeby Colliery. He went to work at half past five on Thursday morning, and was in good health. When witness next saw him he was in the Montagu Hospital, between two and three o’clock the same day. He was conscious but could not speak. His arm, legs and body were injured. He died about half past two whilst witness was there. Deceased had been a miner, getting coal for seven years and was used to the work. Before the accident he was quite a healthy man, and witness could not remember when he last had a doctor. He had worked at Cadeby for about a year.

James Duffey, of 82 Doncaster Road, said he was a filler, and employed at Cadeby pit, where he worked with deceased. Dawson seemed alright on Thursday morning at work. Just before the fall of roof he was getting some coal, and when the fall came witness was six or seven yards from deceased, and witness shouted to know if he was alright, but getting no answer, he went to look for him, and found him almost buried. After a bit Dawson asked to be got out as quickly as possible. He also said his body and shoulders were hurt. Witness with assistance succeeded in extricating Dawson in about quarter of an hour.

He was then immediately taken out of the pit and removed in the ambulance to the Montagu Hospital.

The fall happened between half past nine and ten o’clock. About four tons of stone and coal fell from the roof. It was probably caused by a ‘slip’, which could be seen after the fall, but not before. Witness did not think the roof was dangerous at that place. The usual amount of timber was set. It was deceased’s duty to set props, and shortly before the accident occurred he tried the roof with his pick and remarked to the witness that it was alright.

The deputy George Wright inspected the place about an hour before. There was plenty of timber handy to use, but witness was of the opinion that the accident could not be avoided.

In reply to the Inspector, witness said he had only worked with the deceased, who appeared to be a careful man, for three shifts. During the morning witness had also looked at the roof two or three times. He thought it was alright.

Through a misunderstanding the deputy was not present at the inquest, but Mr. Witty said the deputy, in answer to his questions, had practically confirmed the former witness’s evidence. He had said the roof looked perfectly safe, and had given no orders.

The Deputy Coroner said, although the statement Mr. Witty had made was not evidence, it practically confirmed the evidence given.

The jury agreed there was no necessity for an adjournment, and a verdict of

“Accidental Death” was returned.

Mr. Witty remarked that he would ascertain the reason for the deputy’s absence, and would furnish a copy of his report to the Inspector.