Single Record

Full Details

Details of Event: 31 July 1925: Burnbank Miner Killed – On Friday afternoon James M'Kenna, miner, residing at 13 Albert Buildings, Earnock, Burnbank, was killed in Earnock Colliery from a fall from the roof in the Kiltongue seam. He leaves a widow and a grown up family of six. Away back in the early nineties, M'Kenna (who was well known locally) was a prominent footballer, having played with Hamilton Harp and latterly with Burnbank Swifts. His contemporaries of that day will regret to learn of his tragic death. The funeral on Monday to Wellhall Cemetery was one of the largest seen in the district for some time, nearly 400 following the remains of the deceased to the cemetery. [Hamilton Advertiser 8 August 1925] This report may be accident to James McKenna on 31 July 1925. Information from the Mines Inspector's Report - 1925: Roof fall At Earnock, Colliery, Lanark, a fall occurred in an endless rope haulage road. Whilst the roof was still grinding, the bencher and a chainman stood watching it when a second fall took place and fatally injured the bencher. The place had been disturbed by adjoining workings and the brick arch had become crushed. Repairs with centre props had been executed, and three sets were knocked out by the fall, which consisted of 10 tons of blaes and bricks. When the men heard the roof working they should have moved to a place of safety.