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Full Details

Surname
FOWLER
Forename
Alexander
Day
21
Month
12
Year
1927
Age
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Birkhill
Mineral Worked
Fireclay
Owner
P. & M. Hurll Ltd
Location
Bo’ness
County
Linlithgowshire
Details of Event
Information from the Inspectors of Mines - 1927: Falls of side: At Birkhill Fireclay Mine, Linlithgowshire, a fatal accident occurred which shows that however long a road may have been in use and however safe it may appear there always may be a hidden danger if the sides be unsupported. On 21st December, a miner was taking his last tub for the day out a level day drift by hand when a fall from the side some 30 yards from the mine entrance caught and killed him. The road was 12 ft. wide by 18 ft. high, and had stood in the same condition for many years. Weathering action, including that of a hard frost which prevailed at the time, may have, by ice expansion in cracks in the road side, caused the part of the side to burst off.