South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 16 May 1942
Stone from Roof Kills Conisbrough Miner
“I am rather surprised that this expanse of roof should have been left unsupported as the girders were taken out. It seems there is too much reliance placed upon a hard rock roof which sometimes proves fatal,” said the Doncaster District Coroner (Mr. W. H. Cathie) at a Conisbrough inquest on Tuesday on John Robson Sibbeld Wright (41) of 25, Leslie Avenue, Conisbrough who was killed by a fall of stone in the Parkgate Seam of Cadeby Main Colliery on Saturday. A verdict of “Accidental Death” was recorded.
John Charles Carte, ripper, of 66 Tickhill Street, Denaby, said he and Wright were taking out girders at a junction. The deputy visited them at 1 p.m. and helped them for a time. They middle set four girders, and cut and withdrew the lower carrying girder. Witness set a prop on the inside of the timber ate and a king prop at the back side of the bar in the gate. They then cut and withdrew the top side carrying girder, and started to take the ten feet girders out, starting from the far side of the timber gate. They withdrew three and decided to leave the fourth until later because there was a loodse piece of atone overhanging. The, were going back into the junction when they heard something crack. Witness went into 234’s gate and Wright ran up the timber gate. Witness heard him shout and found him pinned under a stone. He went for help, and when Wright was released he was unconscious. The piece of stone overhanging In the centre of the prop was not the one which pinned Wright.
In answer to Mr. H. Stevenson (H. M. Inspector of Mines), Carte said they did not set temporary props because they considered it was safe. Joseph Woodward, deputy, of Balby, said both men were experienced. He examined the place before leaving and it was in a perfectly safe condition. The roof was excellent. He asked them if they knew how to carry on and the men maid they did not want any detailed instructions and knew what they had to do. He did not approve of the method by which the work was done.
Dr. D. T. Clarke said the cause of death was shock and traumatic asphyxia, due to being pinned under the fall, which caused a fracture of several ribs and a crushed chest.