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Full Details

Surname
DONALDSON
Forename
Matthew
Day
22
Month
10
Year
1936
Age
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Kinglassie
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Fife Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Kinglassie
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
22 October 1936: Died Six Years After Accident - Fife Miner Who Was Struck by Stone - An Auchterderran miner's death six years after he had met with a pit accident was the subject of an inquiry by Sheriff Dudley Stuart and a jury at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to-day. The dead man was Matthew Donaldson, Bliair's Buildings, Auchterderran. When at work in Kinglassie Colliery in February, 1930, he was struck on the back by a falling stone. Paralysis later developed, and he died from this on September last. In answer to questions by Mr R. S. Henderson, procurator-fiscal, David Herd, machine man, Clunie, stated that he had been working beside Donaldson shortly before the fall took place. Everything seemed clear. The working place had been examined by the fireman about an hour before. Donaldson, while shovelling small coal, did not touch the roof or sides of the working place at all. Evidence of a similar nature was given by James Johnstone, machine man, 12 Dundonald Crescent, Cardenden. Johnstone had also been working alongside Donaldson at the same spot, and he stated that there was nothing indicative of a fall. A large stone, about cwts. In weight, fell from the roof, and struck Donaldson between the shoulders. Hidden Fault. - James Drysdale, fireman, 48 Lawrence Street, Kinglassie, gave evidence on his examination of the working place, and stated that there must have been a hidden fault in the roof. Dr William Brackenridge, Broom Park, Cardenden, said Donaldson had received a fracture of the spine - on February 1930 - and had been removed to Kirkcaldy Hospital. He received treatment there until October of the same year, and he was afterwards removed home. The doctor stated that paralysis had later supervened, and he died on 22nd October, 1936. Death was due to paralysis arising out of the accident. A formal verdict was returned. [Evening Telegraph 23 November 1936]