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Full Details

Surname
BETTANY
Forename
Thomas
Day
29
Month
08
Year
1913
Age
63
Occupation
Fireman
Mine/Quarry Name
Adderley Green, Nos 8 & 9 Pits
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Stirrup & Pye
Location
Longton
County
Staffordshire
Details of Event
The accident happened on a main rope engine dip. While a set of four tubs was being pushed into the dip to be lowered, one of the couplings became detached, and three of the tube ran away and became derailed 14 yards down the incline, leaving the single tub attached to the rope. While deceased was assisting a roadman to push the tub down and it was about to be recoupled to the runaway tubs, the engine was reversed and the tub drawn back, and as deceased attempted to enter a manhole he was crushed by the tub against a post. He died on the same day. No signal had been given. It had been customary for the engine driver to accept the tightening of the rope on the drum as the signal to lower, and whenever the tubs ceased to pull away the slack rope it was usual to reverse the engine and wind up the rope until it became taut. On this occasion, owing to only one empty tub being attached, the driver did not feel the tension until the accident happened. Strict instructions have been given that the engine is not to be worked except in accordance with signals in future.