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Full Details

Surname
ROBINSON
Forename
John Thomas
Day
19
Month
01
Year
1910
Age
28
Occupation
Loco-Fireman
Mine/Quarry Name
Randolph
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
North Bitchburn Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Evenwood & Barony
County
Durham
Details of Event
A special siding bad been put in to discharge material for patent coke ovens in course of erection. On the occasion of the accident the last of three empty waggons was standing on the points, and all the waggons had to be moved along the siding to clear the points so that the locomotive could be couple on and pull them out. The gradient was such that the driver and fireman could have pushed the waggons, one at a time, clear of the points. However, they adopted a readier, but at the same time a dangerous method; that of putting a batten between the engine and the last waggon so that the locomotive could push the three waggons along. Unfortunately the batten slipped and the fireman who was holding it failed to get clear and was crushed between the buffers of the locomotive and of the waggon. He was severely injured and died next day. The method adopted was not the usual practice at the colliery, but was done under the special circumstances unknown to the management.