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Full Details

Surname
McEWAN
Forename
Thomas
Day
11
Month
02
Year
1923
Age
42
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Polmaise, Nos 3 & 4 Pits
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Archibald Russell Ltd
Location
Fallin
County
Stirlingshire
Details of Event
Fall of roof. A fatality of a particularly pathetic nature occurred at No.3 Pit, Polmaise Colliery, Fallin, early on Monday morning (12 February 1923) resulting in the death of a Stirling man, who was working his last shift as a Miner. Between 2.00 am and 3.00 am, McEwan Thomas (42), 26 Abbey Road, Stirling and Francis Church (47), residing in lodgings at 27 King Street, Stirling were engaged in clearing a fall of rock and blaze from the roof in the level of McLean's Mine in the Knott Coal Seam. The men were suddenly overtaken by another fall, about 12 tons of material coming away from the roof and burying them. Herculean efforts were made by the other workers, who had been attracted to the scene by the noise, to extricate their comrades from the debris and Church was got out fortunately in a short time, but three hours elapsed before the rescuers reached the place where the other man had been working and when they got him Out, McEwan was beyond medical aid. The body was conveyed to the ambulance room at the Pithead and was examined by Dr Porter, who certified death to be due to asphyxiation. Church had a miraculous escape, his injuries being of a comparatively slight nature. He was of course suffering considerably from shock and he also received a slight scalp wound in addition to abrasions of the body, arms and legs. After receiving attention from Dr Porter, he was conveyed home, and no serious results are expected in his case. McEwan leaves a widow and three young children. Monday was the last day he was to have worked in the Pit. He had secured employment in Stirling and he was taking up his new job on Tuesday. (Stirling Journal).