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Full Details

Surname
BIRCH
Forename
Arthur
Day
03
Month
12
Year
1929
Age
20
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Viewpark
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Robert Addie & Sons Collieries Ltd
Location
Viewpark
County
Lanarkshire
Details of Event
3 December 1929: Entombed in Pit - Lanarkshire Miner Killed – Rescue Difficulties – Scenes of excitement and anxiety were witnessed at Viewpark Colliery, Bellshill, up to an early hour this morning. Between 5 and 6 o'clock last night it became known that two men had been buried by a fall, and immediately there was a rush to the pithead. The two workmen concerned were engaged repairing supports in the main haulage road, and during the operation a serious breakaway occurred in the strata which completely entombed the two miners. As soon as their plight was discovered other workmen assembled to clear away the debris, but owing to the running nature of the strata very little progress had been made up till 10.30, at which hour an official arrived at the pithead and got together a fresh batch of rescuers. These were readily drawn from the night shift men who had assembled on the pitbank in readiness to commence their shift at 11 o'clock. Indeed, they had no intention of going to work while their comrades remained in danger. At 11.30 it was stated that one of the victims had been extricated, but he was dead. His name is:- Thomas Norris, aged 31, who resided at 4 Lynnburn Avenue, North Road, Bellshill. The other man who was alive when found is:- Arthur Birch, aged 20, single, who resides at 8 Coltness Cottages, Mossend. He was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, suffering from bruises to the body, a lacerated chest wound, and other injuries. Dr Weir, Bellshill, who had been down the mine for four hours, stated, on his return to the surface, that Norris died from suffocation following a second fall. The rescuers had been in touch with him at nine o'clock, but he died following the second fall. Birch was found hanging over a haulage rope, and the fact that a tub was in the immediate vicinity no doubt saved his life. [Scotsman 4 December 1929]