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Details of Event: 17 November 1927: Sanquhar Colliery Accident - An alarming accident occurred yesterday afternoon at a new drift which had just been completed to ventilate a section of Gateside Colliery, Sanquhar. The drift is exceptionally steep, and the entrance is close to Crawick Mill village. Four men were working down that incline, and the colliery manager, Mr M'Naughton was along with them. Suddenly a hutch loaded with bricks dashed down on top of the men without warning, and Jas. M'Arthur, who resides at Crawick Mill, received the full force of the impact. He was conveyed to Dumfries Infirmary, suffering from a fractured skull, and is in a critical condition. The manager was also injured but not so seriously, and the others, who had a fortunate escape, suffer from shock. [Scotsman 18 November 1927] The Sanquhar Mining Accident - James M'Arthur (47), one of the injured men in the accident at Gateside Colliery, Sanquhar, on Thursday afternoon, has died in Dumfries Infirmary. Mr Macnaughton, the manager, is more seriously injured than was at first thought. James Parks, the builder, sustained a severe bruise on the left breast, and only one man of the four escaped serious injury—viz. Robert Graham, builder. The men were engaged building an arch in a newly constructed air shaft which dips to the extent of three feet in four, and they were struck by a loaded hutch. [Scotsman 19 November 1927]