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Full Details

Surname
DIXON
Forename
Thomas
Day
18
Month
06
Year
1907
Age
16
Occupation
Landing lad
Mine/Quarry Name
West Wylam
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Mickley Coal Co. Ltd
Location
West Wylam
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
A drift dipping out-bye 6 inches per yard extends from the surface to the Towneley seam in which there is a level landing. The tubs are drawn out in sets of 20 by a main rope worked by an engine on the surface and a cow is fastened to the last tub in case of a break away. A set consisting of the first 4 tubs loaded with coal and the last 26 loaded with sagre clay was signalled away and as it started the centre bar of the fourth tub broke at a bolt hole where there appeared to be an old fracture. The set was stopped and the waggonwayman coupled the fourth and fifth tubs by means of a loose coupling attached by shackles and pins to the yoke holes and signalled away again. When the set had gone a few yards and had got partly on to the heavy rise the waggonwayman saw that the last 10 tubs were loaded with sagre clay and consequently rather heavier that if loaded with coal and he became doubtful of the extempore coupling and he stopped the set. When the set stopped it gave back a little on to the cow the last ten tubs resting on it. The consequence was that the last tub was lifted up with the cow underneath. The waggonwayman then declined to take off the tubs loaded with coal and to do this it was necessary for the set to come back into the landing. Before this could be done the cow required to be taken off. He sent deceased forward to free it after he had the set pulled forward a little. He signalled the engineman drew away rather sharply and the hoop of the fifth tub, made of 1-2 inch iron, broke on each side of the yoke holes and the last 16 tubs ran back and crushed deceased. The jury, while bringing in a verdict of accidental death, expressed the opinion that great care should be taken in coupling tubs after a breakage. The Local Inspectors reported, ‘In our opinion found it to be a pure accident with the exception that the tub should have been last on the set.’ The waggonways man should not have sent deceased to perform the work he intended him to perform.