Single Record

Full Details

Details of Event: Died March 4th. By a singular coincidence this accident and that involving John Kay Gorton happened within minutes of each other in the two coal drawing shafts of Heworth colliery situated about 50 yards apart. In the John pit the downcast shaft two cages each holding two tubs on each of the three decks run in rail guides at the sides. By means of a drum of two diameters while one cage runs between Hutton seam and surface a distance of 140 fathoms the other runs the surface and Beaumont seam a distance of 161 fathoms the Beaumont cage can call at the Hutton seam where there is a landing and a few feet below it beams supporting the scaffold on which Hutton seam cage lands cross the shaft within 2 or 3 inches of the ends of the Beaumont cage. Deceased on the completion of his fifth shift underground got into the top deck of the cage at the Beaumont seam along with 10 other boys and while being drawn to the surface and passing the Hutton seam allowed his head to come in contact with one of the beams referred to or the landing. There is a bar to hold on by in the cage. His lamp fell down the pit but he was caught and supported by the other boys until the surface was reached. The Local Inspectors reported 'in our opinion it was a pure accident. The Jury added a rider to their verdict Accidental Death in which they suggested the propriety of having doors or gates on the cages and giving notice as to instructions in the shaft.