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Full Details

Surname
GRAY
Forename
John
Day
09
Month
04
Year
1913
Age
56
Occupation
Incline Brakesman
Mine/Quarry Name
Stargate
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Stella Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Ryton
County
Durham
Details of Event
Deceased had been banksman on this self-acting incline for more than 20 years. The gradient is greater on the lower half of the incline, and a man rides the set to apply the brake on the last full wagon at meetings. He should then return on the empty set in order to knock off when they reach the bankhead. On this occasion the wagons were moving too quickly and he was unable to board the empty wagons at meetings. The set ran amain, and, as the rope could not be detached, the empty trucks rail into the brake cabin. Deceased was found 9 yards from the brake handle underneath the first wagon.