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Full Details

Surname
ADAMS
Forename
Robert
Day
16
Month
03
Year
1932
Age
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Balgonie, Julian Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Balgonie Colliery Co. Ltd
Location
Thornton
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
16 March 1932: Kirkcaldy Man Who Took Risk - Fatally Injured at Thornton - Jury's Rider at Inquiry - At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to-day, Sheriff Dudley Stuart and a jury conducted an inquiry into the death of a Kirkcaldy miner, Robert Adams, 265 Rosslyn Street, Kirkcaldy, who was fatally injured in the Julian Pit, Thornton, on 16th March. David Spiers, manager of the Julian Pit, stated that the deceased had been employed at the pit as a miner's drawer for seven or eight years. He did not actually see the accident, but on making inquiry he learned that Adams had been going home from his work across a line of rails, and that he had been knocked down by a waggon. Sheriff—The point at which he crossed the rails was actually a point for lorries approaching the workshop?— Yes. At that point concrete blocks were laid between the rails for the convenience of such vehicles. Witness continued that was his own opinion that Adams had made a miscalculation when the train of waggons had stopped, and he must have thought he would able to cross before they came up to him. Engine-Driver's Story- Michael Collins, engine-driver, Ritchie's Buildings. Station Road, Thornton, said he was driving an engine at the time of the accident, and taking nine waggons of coal up that line. When approaching the workshop he sounded the engine whistle for fully a minute and had kept a lookout until the waggons were in full view of the crossing. His attention was then taken up by a valve, and when he looked out again he saw the deceased lying at the side of the rails. The fiscal—Have you seen anybody crossing there before? —Yes. Were they miners?— No. You did not actually see the deceased being knocked down?— No. Witness added that Adams' bicycle was below the waggon and that indicated that he had been crossing the line at the time. Mr H. Roberts. His Majesty's Inspector of Mines, asked if it was not possible for witness to have pulled the waggons instead of pushing it on. He received the answer that that could not have been done, as the engine was behind the waggons. Took Risk Upon Himself. - Mr A. M'Gregor, appearing for the Balgonie Colliery, raised the question of persons regulating the traffic at the bridge and he received an affirmative answer. John White, store keeper, stated he had looked out the door of his office as the engine sounded its whistle and he saw the deceased with his hand against the side of the waggon, while his cycle was pushed away from him. A formal verdict was returned with a rider added to the effect that deceased had taken risk upon himself and the company were wholly free from blame.