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Details of Event: At a point about 10 yards from the shaft on the main haulage road in the Five Quarter seam to the West District where a hitch with a throw of 2 feet crossed the road the stone was bad and wet and had fallen away leaving a cavity with a base 16 feet long right across the road and a width of 8 feet on one side of the road and 6.5 feet on the other end a height of 10 feet. About 4 years ago this place was protected by putting in two running baulks 14 feet long and 9 inches square on each side of the road each of these baulks was supported by five props and above them lofting balks, 12 feet long and 7 inches by 3 inches sectional area, were laid close together, and some loose timber and packing was laid on them, but there was a considerable open space left. Deceased and other hewers were walking inbye to their work in the back shift when come stone fell from the side of the cavity and broke one of the running balks and caused a collapse of the lofting, and deceased was caught by the timber and loose stuff that accompanied the fall, he was covered up and probably suffocated. The place had been frequently examined and was thought to be secure, but after the accident it was found that the broken running balk was slightly rotten. The Local Inspectors reported, ‘In our opinion it was a pure accident, and further we think from the condition of the place it could not have been foreseen.’