New Search

Return to Search Results

Full Details

Surname
CHALMERS
Forename
Ernest
Day
09
Month
01
Year
1904
Age
18
Occupation
Driver
Mine/Quarry Name
Whitehaven
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Whitehaven Colliery Co.
Location
Whitehaven
County
Cumberland
Details of Event
Deceased and others under the charge of a deputy were engaged on a Saturday evening clearing away debris off the Delaval endless rope haulage road in the Main Band. The road is 11 feet wide and 9 feet 8 inches high; the sides consisted of 7 feet 6 inches of coal overlaid by 2 feet 2 inches of metal or shale. The roof was hard sandstone. There were no props set to support the roof but one or two were set to keep back some loose rubbish. A current of warm air meeting a colder current near the place caused moisture to be deposited. While deceased and another lad were filling a tub the metal and some coal fell from one side for a length of 11 yards and a maximum thickness of about 2 feet, and killed him instantly. The metal overhung slightly at the point and appears to have come away from a recent fracture the moisture present in the air probably assisting in extending. The road had been in use for 11 years. The deputy had examined the place by looking at it, and was about 40 yards inbye at the time of the accident stowing the debris. It is probable a more minute examination on the part of the deputy might have disclosed the insecurity of the side that fell.