Single Record

Full Details

Surname

FOX

Forename

Ralph Telford

Day

13

Month

06

Year

1906

Age

16

Occupation

Landing lad

Mine/Quarry Name

North Walbottle

Mineral Worked

Coal

Owner

North Walbottle Coal Co. Ltd

Location

Walbottle

County

Northumberland

Details of Event

Died June 15. Deceased and another boy, who was slightly injured, were employed near the shaft in detaching the loaded tubs from an endless rope, 1 inch diameter. There were four lines of rails where they worked. Two lines branched off into all east way and two continued straight to the south for 500 yards and then turned to the east for 800 yards to a landing. A lad was stationed at the curve to see that the tubs were securely attached to the rope as the last 590 yards inclined to the shaft at 1 in 32 to 1 in 16. About 23 yards from the shaft on the full way was a runaway switch worked by a wire from the shaft nearer the shaft a wooden chock was placed for the loaded tubs to rest against until they were to be caged. The loaded tubs were attached in pairs to the rope, which ran below, by a box clip with a sliding iron ring to fix the grip of the jaws to the rope; the clip connected the hinder end of the last tub to the rope, There were no loaded tubs on the rope between the shaft and the curve when two loaded tubs passed and the lad at the latter point and he stated he struck the ring of the clip in the usual way with an iron drag to tighten it. These tubs became detached from the rope, due to it being partially, loaded. They ran down the road to the shaft, but were not heard in time for the runaway switch to be used, and even if they had been heard it is doubtful if any use could have been made of it, as it was found to be out of order after the accident. Deceased and two other lade were in a recess next the full way; one ran on to the other lines of rails and escape, but deceased and the lad who was injured ran in front of the runaway tubs, and were caught by them. They broke the pin of the chock and carried on nearly to the shaft, where deceased was found badly injured. The Local Inspectors reported; ‘We are of opinion that it was purely accidental, but would recommend at least two refuge holes be provided as a measure of safety for lads or men employed at that particular pelt, in case of tubs coming amain. The manager arranged to give effect to this recommendation, and also to fix long skids on the inclined road to check the speed of runaway tabs, and until this was done to fix a clip at both ends of the set.