New Search

Return to Search Results

Full Details

Surname
CARRUTHERS
Forename
George
Day
15
Month
01
Year
1904
Age
39
Occupation
Quarryman
Mine/Quarry Name
Moat Quarry
Mineral Worked
Sandstone
Owner
Herbertsons Ltd
Location
Moat
County
Cumberland
Details of Event
Deceased and two others had a contract for the removal of overburden an had worked forward an upper step 10 feet high for a distance of 11 feet. The overburden consisted of soil then a sandy bed and then clay and stones. The system of working was to undercut the clay to a depth of from 6 inches to a foot and then wedge it down from the top. Deceased and one of his partners were on the ledge undercutting the clay deceased being next the quarry hole the bottom of which was 25 feet below. A mass of clay about 7 feet high and 6 feet long suddenly fell off the face below the sand bed next the quarry hole and knocked both of them off the ledge. Deceased fell to the bottom of the quarry receiving injuries which resulted in his death a few hours later. His partner was knocked into a clay wagon standing on rails 10 feet below and escaped with little injury. The weather had been very wet and may have loosened the clay. As a similar accident at the quarry had caused the death of a man on October 12, 1903 the Jury added the rider to their verdict recommended that the lessees of the quarry "seriously consider whether some precautions could not be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future."