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Full Details

Surname
BAXTER
Forename
William
Day
11
Month
06
Year
1936
Age
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Lochore, No.1 Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Fife Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Lochore
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
11 June 1936: Miner's Heroism Praised at Fatal Accident Inquiry - The jury at a fatal accident inquiry at Dunfermline Sheriff Court yesterday expressed admiration for the heroism of several Fife miners who had gone to the rescue of a companion who was partly buried by a fall of stones. The inquiry was with regard to the death of William Baxter, miner, 17 Castle Avenue, Crosshill, who died on June 11 in the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital from injuries received that day as the result of a fall of stones from the roof in the underground workings of No.1 Pit, Lochore Colliery. Thomas Ferrier, colliery fireman, 36 Montrose Crescent, Lochore, said that after Baxter had been buried under the material and another fall was threatening, he called for volunteers to get him out. Two miners, Archibald Davidson, Tushielaw, Lochore, and Robert Gibson, 103 Waverley Street, Lochore, went in and helped to get Baxter clear, and another man named Harrower removed some stones that were lying on Baxter's feet. It was at great personal risk that they got him out. Other witnesses stated that Ferrier had also exposed himself to great danger in leading the rescue operations. Sheriff-Substitute Umpherston said he thought the jury would like to add to their formal verdict their recognition of the way in which the men had behaved, undergoing personal risk in trying to save Baxter. [Scotsman 19 June 1936]