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Full Details

Surname
PATERSON
Forename
William
Day
29
Month
11
Year
1917
Age
38
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Fauldhead, No.1 Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Sanquhar & Kirkconnel Collieries Ltd
Location
Kirkconnel
County
Dumfriesshire
Details of Event
29 November 1917: Colliery Fatality At Kirkconnel – Miner Succumbs To Injuries - On Wednesday forenoon an unfortunate accident occurred in No.1 Fauldhead Colliery, whereby two miners were injured. William Paterson (38), who resides at 2 Marne Street, Kellobank, was so seriously hurt that he had to be removed to Dumfries Infirmary, where he died next morning. He sustained internal injuries, a compound fracture of one leg, and a simple fracture of the other, besides injuries to his arms and back. The other man, John M’Creadie (19), who resides with Mr Wm. Wilson, 25 Riverside Terrace, had a miraculous escape. He was bruised about the face, arms, and chest, but was able to proceed to his home. The accident occurred in a section known as Magaragle's Dook. This is worked on what is termed a "cuddy brae." The drawers take their loaded hutches down the incline fastened to a wire rope, and this is balanced by a hutch loaded with stones coming up the opposite side. Each drawer accompanies his hutch. Paterson had been going down with his hutch in the usual way when another drawer brought out a hutch and left it on the braehead to await his turn to go down. A third drawer, John M’Creadie, brought out a hutch, and his came in contact with the one that was sitting, knocking it over the brae. M’Creadie held on to his hutch, and afterwards left it and caught hold of the one in front as he knew Paterson was not clear at the foot. He gallantly held on, trying to stop it; but his own hutch also came on and knocked him down and went over the top of him. Meanwhile the other hutch rushed on, and it appears that it came into violent contact with Paterson, who when found was jammed between the hutch and the coal wall. On being extricated it was found that he was seriously injured, as above stated. He was promptly taken to the surface, and Dr Edgar ordered his removal to Dumfries Infirmary. But as already stated his injuries have proved fatal. He leaves a widow and small family, to whom the sympathy of the community goes out. [Dumfries and Galloway Standard 5 December 1917]