Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Saturday 03 September 1927

Safety Ignored.
Ten Children Fatherless For Sake of Ten Minutes Saved.

“Accidental death” was the verdict at Conisborough yesterday on Joseph Campbell (52), married, of Denaby Avenue, Conisborough, who was killed by a fall of roof at Cadeby Colliery on Thursday.

Deceased’s mate, Bert Vyner, said they withdrew a prop, and a piece of stone fell on deceased. The roof seemed quite good.

The Coroner (Mr. F. Allen) said was clear that the law had been broken in that the men did not use a  safety appliance. He had asked witnesses what difference in time it made to them to use a Sylvester (a safety appliance).

They had said in this case ten minutes. “Ten minutes,” commented the Coroner, “and ten children are left fatherless.”

The jury attached no blame to anybody.