January 5th 1904
Sad Fatality At Denaby Colliery – Boy´s Fatal Slip.
Door-boy Run over by Tubs
The enquiry into the death of Patrick O´Malley, aged thirteen years, who had received shocking injuries in the Denaby Colliery on Monday night, death resulting later at the Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, took place at the Hospital yesterday, before Mr. J. Kenyon-Parker, deputy coroner.
Mr. A.H. Barnard, agent, and Mr. C. Bury, manager, represented the Colliery Co. whilst Mr. W.H. Pickering, H.M. Inspector of Mines was also present.
Deceased´s brother, John O´Malley, who worked as a trammer in the same district as the deceased was killed, said deceased was only thirteen years of age, and had only worked in the pit one month. He died from his injuries at twenty minute to two on Tuesday morning, in the Montagu Hospital.
Frank Howlett, a trapper, residing with his parents at 4 Cross Hallgate, aged thirteen, said he saw deceased leaving work at 9-45 p.m., and as deceased stepped across the empty line ( on which the empties run ), he was caught by a run of full corves, which knocked him down, dragging him five or six yards, when they stopped in answer to his shout. Deceased was lying between the first and second tubs. Witness ran up the line for assistance.
In answer to Mr. Pickering, witness said the deceased was on his proper road.
Mr. Jackson, the foreman of the jury, asked if it was usual for the tubs to be going when the boys and men were returning from their work ?
The witness said it was.
In answer to further questions, the witness said if deceased could have got to the nearest refuge hole he would not have been able to get in because of the bell-wires.
Albert Smith, living at 39 Tickhill Street, Denaby Main, said he was a corporal in the colliery. He did not hear deceased shout. He was leaving work about 9-50 when a boy came up to him, and said the deceased was under some tubs. He was about one hundred and fifty yards away from the place of the accident. He went and got the deceased out. The rope was stopped before he ( witness ) got up to him. Deceased was lying on his left side in the full road. There were two full tubs passed him, and the others behind him. He was unconscious then. When they were removing him he spoke to a boy named Smeaton, and said, ” Don´t tell my mother.”
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”