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Full Details

Surname
DOCHERTY
Forename
William Waddell
Day
01
Month
07
Year
1927
Age
17
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Lady Victoria Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Lothian Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Newtongrange
County
Edinburghshire
Details of Event
1 July 1927: Fatality at Newbattle Collieries – William Docherty, 17, residing at Abbey Land, Newtongrange, was killed by a breakaway of coal hutches in the splint seams of Newbattle Collieries on Saturday. [Scotsman 4 July 1927] Information from the Inspectors of Mines - 1927: Underground Haulage Accident: At Newbattle Colliery (Lady Victoria Pit), Edinburgh, on 1st July, an accident occurred which shows that even when safeguards are provided they may be rendered useless through carelessness and thoughtlessness. A loaded tub was being drawn up an incline by a main rope haulage when the capel caught under a "monkey," or self-acting safety catch, and the rope was stopped suddenly. The tub ran forward a little, causing the coupling pin to fall out, the safety cotter provided and chained to it not having been used. The tub then ran back and killed the bencher lad. If the "jock" or back-stay provided had been attached to the tub before it was sent away it could not have run back; moreover, the lad who was killed had a refuge in which to stand while rakes were running, but he left this and was standing on the haulage road talking to a ventilation door boy eight yards distant.