Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Tuesday 17 May 1910
Under Fallen Roof,
Miner’s Shocking Death at Denaby.
Ambulance Work Praised.
The knowledge of first-aid that exists at Denaby Colliery was favourably commented upon by the Deputy-Coroner, Mr. J. Kenyon Parker, and the foreman of the jury at an inquest held at Mexboro’ to-day, relative to the death of William Bennett (19), clipper, of 26, Wilson Street, Mexborough, who was killed by a fall of roof at the Denaby Colliery on Friday evening.
There were present at the inquiry Mr. Poole. H.M. Inspector Mines, and Mr. C. Bury, manager of the colliery. Frank Wood, pit corporal, of Braithwell Street Denaby, said the deceased was engaged in bringing empty tubs to him. He had gone main haulage to fetch more ‘‘empties,” when suddenly witness saw a cloud of smoke coming down the plane. He went investigate, and found that a fall of rough stuff.” about 200 yards away, had buried Bennett, who called to him.
Witness shouted for assistance, and started to remove the debris but it was thirty minutes before they got the lad’s head released. Down that road, added witness, were ambulance men. In the opinion of witness, the collapse of girder had caused the roof to fall, and that Bennett died of suffocation. When he was extricated his nose and mouth were full of dust, and dirt. There was then one tub off the road, adder! Wood. When witness passed the place previously the girder was all right.
Joseph Bucknell, deputy, of Tickhill Street, Denaby said he assisted to liberate the deceased. He seemed to die the moment when witness was cleaning his mouth. He was dead when finally liberated. Witness had examined the place previously, and was opinion that the dirt and the girder came down together. Witness was himself an ambulance man.
Moses Soar, under manager, said that having some doubt as to whether life was extinct when he first saw Bennett after the fall, he sent for Doctors Huey and McArthur. The man’s body was then warm, and his jaw had not dropped. They tried artificial respiration for half hour until the doctors came.
The Coroner said it was evident that everything possible had been done to release the deceased men, and that the measures taken were the best.
The Foreman expressed the jury’s opinion that every credit was due the Colliery for their ambulance efficiency.
A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.
The deceased was member of the Bennett family of whom Walter Bennett, the one-time Sheffield United and International footballer, was also killed at the same colliery about two years ago.