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Full Details

Surname
DUFF
Forename
John Archbold
Day
30
Month
08
Year
1904
Age
17
Occupation
Driver
Mine/Quarry Name
Linton
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Ashington Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Ellington & Linton
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
Deceased was driving inbye sitting on the limbers of a pony drawing three empty tubs when he was met on the same line of rails by five full tubs which ran amain from the flat 50 yards further in. The flat itself dipped outbye 2.5 to 3 inches per yard and beyond the dip increased to 6 inches per yard, flattening to 2 inches per yard at the place of accident. Deceased jumped off the limbers but was unable to escape. Both the full and empty ways at the flat are provided wooden chocks each consisting of two short blocks of wood working on iron pins fastened to iron fixed on the pavement. The chock itself crosses one of the rails and is 3.75 inches high and is held in position by a stay chock. Each driver, as he leaves the flat, puts the chock in position as was done in this case and one tub was then standing five yards from it with both wheels dragged. Two full tubs were brought into the flat and lowered against it with their wheels also dragged. Two more full tubs with wheels dragged were next brought forward when the whole five moved away and coming against the chock bent the pin on which the stay worked and forced the stay off and it was found three yards outbye. When examined after the accident the two first and two last of the runaway tubs had each two drags in the wheels and the middle tub one. An improved form of chock with an iron washer under the head of the bolt of the stay, was put in after the accident. The Local Inspectors reported state this ‘to be the result of accident.’