DONNINGTON. Wellington, Shropshire. 9th. September, 1861.

The colliery was owned by the Lilleshall Company and was at Wrockwardine. Three men and two boys were killed when the flat chain broke. The accident occurred just as the men had finished work and were returning to the surface. The cage was six yards from the bank when the rope broke and the victims fell 80 yards to their deaths at the pit bottom.

Those who lost their lives were:

  • Thomas Swift aged 23 years,
  • Thomas Foulke aged 14 years,
  • Thomas Davies aged 14 years,
  • William Worral aged 36 years, married with six or seven children,
  • Henry Swift aged 19 years, brother to Thomas.

The inquest into the deaths took place at the Lambs Inn, Wrockwardine when the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death” with the recommendation that the Company should employ someone to look after the ropes and “those things.”

 

REFERENCES
Mines Inspectors Report, 1861. Mr. Thomas Wynne.

Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.

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