Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 2 November 1934
Hidden Slip
Cadeby Miner Killed By Fall
Unavoidable Accident
A fatal accident at Cadeby Colliery on Oct. 24 was investigated by the Doncaster District Coroner, Mr. W. H. Carlile, at Conisboro’ on Friday, when he held an inquest on George Harrison (55), 17, Hameline Road, Conisboro’. The Coroner explained that Harrison was getting coal and filling it on to belts on the conveyor face, when there was a fall and he was knocked down, falling with his face against the conveyor.
Evidence of identification was given by a son, George Wm. Harrison, of the same address.
Joseph Humphries, 16, Warren Road, Conisboro’, who was working with Harrison, said he was walking along the face at 11-30 a.m., and saw the fall, which occurred without warning only three yards away from him. Harrison was completely buried by about four tons of stone, and several men were engaged for over ten minutes in extricating him, but he was dead. The fall extended for four yards along the face. Humphries added that he had examined the roof earlier and was quite satisfied that it was safe. In his opinion a slip caused the leg underneath a bar to burst out. The slip was not visible before the accident.
John Wm. Hallam, 16, Conan Road, Conisboro’, agreed that there was no sign of the slip before the accident. The place was properly timbered.
A deputy, Arthur Singleton, 28, Prior Road, Conisboro’, said he found the place in order on his examination before the accident. Afterwards he saw the slip, but he thought no further precautions could have been taken to prevent the accident.
Dr. D. T. Clark said death was due to a multiple fracture of the skull, and would be almost instantaneous.
The Coroner said it was an accident which could not reasonably have been foreseen, and was due to a hidden slip which was not apparent until after the fall.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.” Mr. W. Sill, manager, expressed sympathy with the relatives on behalf of the Colliery Company, and described Harrison as “a reliable and conscientious worker who had been in the company’s employ for many years.” Mr. T. J. Gregory and Mr. J. Mabin (chairman and secretary respectively of the Y.M.A. branch) associated themselves with the remarks.