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Full Details

Surname
MORTON
Forename
Joseph
Day
29
Month
03
Year
1904
Age
28
Occupation
Loco. Fireman
Mine/Quarry Name
Harrington
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
James Bain & Co.
Location
Lowca
County
Cumberland
Details of Event
A locomotive was passing at a speed of about 9 miles per hour three spring-buffered wagons laden with small coal on the railway between two pits. The gradient was 1in 60 against the load and the road was slightly curved. Deceased was sitting on one of the buffers in front of the first wagon in order to signal to the engineman if necessary before crossing two roads. The middle wagon became derailed and was followed by the other two and the locomotive and deceased fell off and was found under the brake gear of the wagon on which he was riding. One of the rails was broken. The rails and sleepers were in fair condition. A heavy rain may have wash away some of the ballast. It was supposed that the wagons may have become locked at the buffers. The siding arrangements did not allow the engine to pull the wagons which would have been safer but was afterwards altered so as to allow this to done.