South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 04 April 1942
Runaway Tub
Denaby Mineworker Fatally Injured
“It seems that the tub which ran away could not have been properly coupled, said the Doncaster Dietrict Coroner (Mr. W. A. Carlile), recording a verdict of “Accidental Death” at an inquest at Denaby, on Saturday, on James Frost (56), surface worker, of 25, Queen Street, Swinton, who died from injuries received while working at Denaby Colliery on March 25th.
Charles Frank White, surface worker, of 11 Strafforth Terrace, Denaby, said he was in charge of the engine which lowered and raised tube from the dirt tipper to the banking incline. It was part of his job to couple tubs on the level. The number of tubs lowered and raised at a time was two. The form of coupling tubs was by a single link chain, and they were lockered with a double rail dick. He got the haulage rope on the back of the tubs and withdrew the locker. He knocked the dick away and the first tub ran over the incline. He did not think anyone had interfered with the tubs. Witness had known of tube breaking away on tow. There was no contrivance to prevent a tub running away on the incline after the dick had been knocked away.
Witness said he shouted but apparently no one could heal because of the machinery. He went down the incline and found Frost under a tub. Witness released him. Frost’s work was to push the tubs from the bottom of the incline to the dirt tipper, and apparently when the tub ran away Frost was in the act of uncoupling two stationary tubs.
In answer to Mr. N. Hulley (agent and manager of the Colliery), White said he had not known tubs break away when the double link system of coupling was used.
Thomas Rownsley, assistant timber man, 67, Church Street, Mexborough, said the front tub was secured by a double rail dick, and the second tub was coupled up, then scotched, and the haulage rope was fastened on the back line. The brake on the engine was pinned down. The practice of sending tubs down had always been the same, and there had never been anything to prevent tubs getting away.
Answering Mr. Hulley, witness said on other occasions a stop block was used, but it was missing.
Mr. Hulley: Before you remove the block have you ever been told it was your duty to see the tubs were properly coupled?—Yes.
Howard Tennant, screen foreman. 4. Thrybergh Terrace. Denaby, said he was near the dirt tipper at the time of the accident, but did not hear a bump. He had not suggested any improvement to the incline.
Mines Inspector: Did you know the men were in the habit of using single links?—Yes.
Why did you not get them to use double links?—lt has been the custom to use single links.
Was there any place on the cline where a bull rail could be placed? – Yes. One has been installed since the accident.
Dr. T. Lindsay said the cause of death was shock, caused by multiple injuries.