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Full Details

Surname
CASAGRANDA
Forename
James
Day
29
Month
08
Year
1929
Age
16
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Kames
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
William Baird & Co. Ltd
Location
Muirkirk
County
Ayrshire
Details of Event
29 August 1929: Two young miners were killed in Kames Colliery, Muirkirk, Lanarkshire, yesterday afternoon as the result of a heavy fall from a roof. Their names are Michael Parker, 45 Springhill Terrace, Muirkirk, and James Casagranda, Main Street, Muirkirk. It appears that the men were working together when a large mass descended upon them. Rescue parties worked strenuously, but owing to the heavy nature of the fall several hours elapsed before they could extricate the men, who were dead when brought to the surface. The colliery belongs to Messrs William Baird & Co [Scotsman 30 Aug 1929] Pit Workers Killed – Man and Boy Crushed By Heavy Roof Fall - A man and boy were killed at Kames Colliery Muirkirk, Ayrshire, last night - Michael Parker 35, of Spring Hill-terrace, Muirkirk, and James Casagranda, 16, of Main-street, Muirkirk. A heavy fall of many tons from the roof the pit entombed the miners, who encouraged rescuers by constant conversation, but all the latter's desperate efforts were thwarted by a second fall. Parker leaves widow and two children. Casagranda had only recently started work. The colliery is owned William Baird and Company. “Take time, boys and keep steady." This was the warning shouted Parker to the rescue party who worked at high pressure to clear the fall. When they were almost through to the trapped miners another fall took place, which, when cleared away, revealed the fact that the two unfortunate men, who were within a few yards of being saved, were dead. [Nottingham Evening Post 30 August 1929]