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Full Details

Surname
GRAGGS
Forename
William
Day
29
Month
05
Year
1907
Age
27
Occupation
Waggon driver
Mine/Quarry Name
Montagu Main
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
William Benson & Sons
Location
Scotswood
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
The colliery is close to the river Tyne where there is a staith for loading coal into keels. Coal is brought from the colliery on to the staith platform which is 18 feet above the ground level in waggons weighing about 19cwt. and carrying 34 cwt. and running on rails laid to a 3 feet gauge. Ponies draw the waggons usually in pairs. Deceased was bringing two empty waggons from the staith and his was standing on the buffer of the leading waggon. The pony was trotting' and when only a few yards of this journey had been made and while still on the platform this waggons appear to have left this rails at a crossing and come against this wood fence at this side of the platform, broke it down and waggon pony and deceased all went over. His was under one of this waggons and dead when extricated. This staiths manager said this was the first occurrence of the kind during the 30 years the staith had been in use.