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Full Details

Surname
HINDMARSH
Forename
John Oliver
Day
01
Month
03
Year
1907
Age
31
Occupation
Crane driver
Mine/Quarry Name
Heworth Burn Quarry
Mineral Worked
Sandstone
Owner
Tate Brown & Co
Location
Heworth
County
Durham
Details of Event
Died March 2. A crane, capable of lifting 7 tons, had raised a stone weighing about 3.5 tons a few feet from the bottom of the quarry when the strap connecting one of the guys to the mast broke, 18 inches from the pin the mast, The crane toppled over and deceased who was inside the wood protecting shed attached was scalded by steam escaping from a broken pipe and from the safety valve. The strap at the point of fracture measured 4 3-16 inches by 2 1-16 inches; the break was altogether a new one and the iron at the point seemed crystalline. A mechanical engineer examined the crane by the Coroner’s order and gave evidence at the inquest. He attributed the fracture to fatigue of the metal he said the strap was either wrought iron or mild steel which from the appearance of the fracture had become crystalline.