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Full Details

Surname
McNEILL
Forename
John
Day
05
Month
01
Year
1916
Age
Occupation
Coal-Picker
Mine/Quarry Name
Elphinstone, Fleets Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Edinburgh Collieries Ltd
Location
Tranent
County
Haddingtonshire
Details of Event
5 January 1916: Unfenced Machinery at an East Lothian Pit - At Haddington Sheriff Court yesterday - before Sheriff Macleod - the sequel to a recent fatal accident at Elphingstone colliery, whereby a lad named John M'Neill, coal-picker, Tranent, met his death by being carried round shafting and crushed, took place in the trial of William Leckie, manager, Fleets Pit, Elphingstone Colliery. The charge against him was that between January 1 and 5, 1916, both days inclusive, he, being manager, of the Fleets Pit, failed to keep securely fenced exposed and dangerous machinery used at the pithead, which, on January 5, had caused the death of John M'Neill. The evidence occupied several hours. His Lordship found accused not guilty as regarded the dates January 1 to 4, both inclusive, but found the charge proved as regarded January 5. Having regard to the extenuating circumstances of the case, he found it inexpedient to inflict any but a nominal punishment and he dismissed the charge under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907. [Scotsman 21 March 1916]