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Full Details

Surname
KIRKHAM
Forename
James
Day
09
Month
08
Year
1911
Age
38
Occupation
Fireman
Mine/Quarry Name
Apedale, Burley Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Midland Coal, Coke & Iron Co. Ltd
Location
Apedale
County
Staffordshire
Details of Event
Owing to the local "wakes" the pit had been idle for a period of four days, during a portion of which the ventilating fan had been stopped for repairs. Deceased, accompanied by an inexperienced youth, was making a preliminary examination of the workings in his district, in the Seven Feet Banbury Seam, preparatory to resumption of work. He discovered an accumulation of firedamp in, No.6 rise dip, which had an inclination of 45 degrees, and was ventilated by means of air pipes 18ins. diameter. He examined the stopping lower down and also the air pipes, found that the latter were partially choked at a right angled bend with small coal and dust. The lad crawled into the pipe and removed the obstruction. The fireman then asked him to hold his lamp, and taking off his waistcoat he foolishly went 3 or 4 yards up the dip and began to waft the gas. Two minutes afterwards, he fell. The lad, who was afraid to venture into the gas, shouted to him and receiving no reply went for assistance which arrived in about an hour, but deceased was then dead, having been asphyxiated by the gas.