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Full Details

Surname
DOUGLAS
Forename
John
Day
30
Month
01
Year
1907
Age
34
Occupation
Timberer
Mine/Quarry Name
Ashington
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Ashington Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Ashington
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
This accident occurred in longwall workings in the 5th South District of the Yard seam Bothal Pit. The seam is 2 feet 9 inches thick and is holed by a coal cutter and the coal is carried along the face by a conveyor. The conveyor was 5 feet from the face and was protected by planks set at right angles to it, with two props under the ends next the goaf and one prop under the other end and between the conveyor and the face. Deceased was setting another series of planks in front of the coal cutter stamping one end into the coal and propping the other end next the conveyor. About 10 yards in front of the point the coal cutter had reached was an iron jockey prop set close to the face and to which was attached a sheave round which a rope passed for pulling the coal cutter forward. This jockey prop had worked loose and deceased knocked it out with a view of resetting it when a mass of stone fell along the face off by the coal and killed him. The fall was 7 yards long by 4 feet wide and varied in thickness from 8 to 12 inches. It was relieved by two jacks and in its fall canted out five of the series of planks deceased had first set not interfering with the series protecting the conveyor. The Local Inspectors reported ‘Our belief is it is a pure accident.’