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Full Details

Surname
JONES
Forename
William Leonard
Day
24
Month
10
Year
1914
Age
49
Occupation
Collier
Mine/Quarry Name
Arthur & Edward
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Lydney & Crumpmeadow Collieries Co. Ltd
Location
Upper Lydbrook
County
Gloucestershire
Details of Event
Deceased and another were engaged in tramming tubs from all tipper to a lower level along a short "through cut" which had a declination varying between 1 in 4 and 1 in 19. The decent of the tubs was continued by sprags, one in each pair of wheels, and it was deceased's duty to place the sprags in position, the other wagoner pushing the tub. On this occasion, however, deceased failed to insert the sprags and the speed of the tub gradually increased; Deceased and his helper retained hold of the tub for some distance, after which the helper let go, deceased, however, still retaining his hold. A fireman, who was at the lower level, shouted to him to let go but he did not do so. When about 10 feet past the crossing the tub became derailed and tilted up on its front end, and deceased's head was jerked violently against the roof. His skull was fractured and death was instantaneous. The manager undertook to place stop blocks at the top of the through-cut to prevent tubs getting away without sprags, and also at the bottom, to lessen the risk of persons on the lower level being injured by runaway.