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Full Details

Surname
NEWCOMBE
Forename
Edward
Day
28
Month
03
Year
1911
Age
62
Occupation
Shaftsman
Mine/Quarry Name
Murton
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
South Hetton Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Murton
County
Durham
Details of Event
He was standing on the flat sheets at the main coal level, in line with a drift rising 2 inches per yard and 600 yards long, when a full set of 30 tubs ran amain down the drift, and knocked some tubs at the bottom on to him. He was badly injured and died the same day. The drift was protected at the top by a hand moved runaway switch, but at the time it was not on. Further down the drift there were two runaway switches worked from the engine room at the drift top. When the set ran away the engine attendant was in the landing 50 yards away from his proper position, and could not operate them in time. The run rider, the landing lad, and the engine attendant were all at fault, and through their combined inattention to duty this man's life was lost. The set ran amain because a mooring chain pin jumped out. A cotter had not been used. Had it been possible to work the runaway switches from the landing the accident would have been prevented.