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Full Details

Surname
GUY
Forename
John Learmont
Day
03
Month
06
Year
1955
Age
46
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Nellie Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
National Coal Board
Location
Lochgelly
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
3 June 1955: Tribute to Pit Rescue Workers – Heroism in Lochgelly Colliery Accident – Tribute to the bravey of rescue workers after three men had been trapped by a fall in the No.4 Jersey Section of the Nellie Colliery, Lochgelly was paid by Mr George Mullin, area general manager of the NCB. Mr Mullin paid particular tribute to Mr Michael Cook, colliery delegate, who with the other rescuers, he said, did a magnificent job. One man, John Guy, 46, 52 Lumphinnans Road, Lochgelly, was killed in the accident which occurred last Friday night and two other Lochgelly men, Harry McKenna, 60, 18 Brucefield Terrace and David Carson, 51, 8 Stephen Place, were rescued after being entombed for 10 hours. The fall of coal and stone covered a distance of about 120 feet. Nine men were working in the section at the time but, with the exception of Guy, McKenna, and Carson, all managed to scramble to safety. Rescue operations were begun and contact was made with Guy who told one of the rescue party that there was a terrible weight on his neck and back. As he spoke there was another fall and the rescuers had to run for their lives. When they were able to resume operations they were unable to make contact with any of the three men and hopes for their safety gradually receded. In the early hours of Saturday morning – nearly seven hours after the first fall had taken place – voices were heard and the rescue workers, redoubling their efforts, broke through to where McKenna and Carson were huddled in a small cavity measuring about three feet by three by two in height. McKenna was found to be suffering from a broken arm but Carson, apart from scratches, was uninjured. Shortly afterwards, Guy was found dead. [Dunfermline Press 11 June 1955]