Overman Fatally Injured by Fall

February 1965

South Yorkshire Times February 13th 1965

Overman Fatally Injured by Fall

A colliery overman who had been “talking about retiring” for some time, Mr. Robert Gill (63) of 26, Tickhill Street, Denaby, was buried and fatally injured by the fall at the 23’s gate in the Barnsley seam at Denaby Colliery on Monday evening.

Trapped with Mr. Gill was filler Mr. Ronald Hinks (26) of 78 Braithwell Street, Denaby, who remained conscious throughout the one and a half hours that rescuers spent digging out the trapped men. He escaped with cuts, bruises and abrasions.

NO TIME
“We had not time to get out of the way,” he told the “South Yorkshire Times” on Tuesday, shortly after he arrived home after overnight treatment at Mexborough Montagu Hospital.
He added, “The only indication of the fall was a lump of dirt I saw falling down – then it suddenly came down on top of us.

“I couldn’t do anything because of the weight of the debris and I think there was second fall after five or ten minutes, which added more weight.

“I was trapped in a sitting position with my head down by my legs. Mr. Gill’s head must have been somewhere near mine, as it seemed his forehead was resting on my left leg, and his arm was laid across me.”

MARRIED MAN
Mr. Gill leaves a widow and one son, Alan (28) a chemistry lecturer. Mr. Gill was born in Mexborough, and had worked at Denaby Main Colliery since he was 14. He became an overman in 1948, and was a deputy before that.

His widow, Mrs. Bertha Gill, said her husband regularly worked afternoon shifts. “My husband had been talking about retiring for some time now, because of his bad chest,” she said. “He has never had a serious accident, except years ago when he broke his ankle.”

Mr. and Mrs. Gill were married in 1932. Mr. Gill has been a member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade since he was 16, and received a long service medal.

An inquest is to be held at Conisbrough today (Friday).