Single Record

Full Details

Surname

AGNEW

Forename

Walter (Injured)

Day

01

Month

07

Year

1934

Age

27

Occupation

Mine/Quarry Name

Polmaise, No.3 Pit

Mineral Worked

Coal

Owner

Archibald Russell Ltd

Location

Fallin

County

Stirlingshire

Details of Event

1 July 1934: Scottish Pit Cage Accident – Miner Killed and 12 Injured - Eleven miners were admitted to Stirling Royal Infirmary yesterday afternoon after an accident at No.3 Pit, Polmaise Colliery, Fallin, near Stirling, when the cage overwound. One of them, William Agnew, of Fallin, aged 27, died last night. Seven men were descending the pit at the time and six were coming to the surface. The miners in the descending cage, which struck the pit bottom, were the more seriously injured. Those admitted to Stirling Royal Infirmary and detained were: George Kerr, 61, of Fallin, a compound fracture of the leg and arm. Angus Milroy, 35, of Fallin, fractured ribs. Patrick Kelly, 55, of Millhall, Stirling, an injury to the back. James Rankine, 23, of Fallin, a facial injury. George Gilmour , 32, of Fallin, an eye injury. Bruce Thompson, 37, of Fallin, a fractured foot. James Heeps, of Borestone Crescent, Stirling, an injury to his back. Joseph Graffen, of Fallin, a leg injury. Martin Lawley, 34, of Roxburgh Row, Cowie, a compound fracture of the leg. Robert Stevenson, of Baker Street, Stirling, was allowed to go home after treatment of minor injuries. Two other injured men who were taken direct to their homes were:- Patrick Ingles, of Bannockburn, and James M'Alister, of Cowie. The accident occurred when the afternoon shift was succeeding the day shift. Miners going to their work helped carry the injured men from the pithead to the ambulance room. The joiner's shop was utilized for this purpose. The injured men were brought to the surface up the adjoining shaft, No.4. Seventy men had been safely carried on the cage a short time before the accident. The colliery stopped work for the day after the accident. [The Times 2 July1934] Another Miner Dead - The Polmaise Pit Accident – Condition of Injured - A second death has occurred as a result of the accident at Polmaise Colliery, Fallin, Stirlingshire, on Sunday. George Kerr (61), who resided at 8a Block, Fallin, succumbed to his injuries in Stirling Royal Infirmary, yesterday afternoon. Kerr had sustained compound fractures of the leg and arm. It was learned at the Infirmary yesterday that the other injured men - nine in number - had passed a comfortable night. George Gilmour (32), 23 Fallin Rows, Fallin, it was stated, in addition to a severe eye injury, was suffering from a fracture of the leg. It was learned that a soldier from Stirling Castle had given a blood transfusion in an attempt to-save the life of William Agnew, who died on Sunday night. H.M. Inspector of Mines visited Polmaise Colliery yesterday to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident, which was caused by the overwinding of a cage. [Scotsman 3 July 1934]