New Search

Return to Search Results

Full Details

Surname
BOYLE
Forename
Robert (injured)
Day
29
Month
05
Year
1936
Age
34
Occupation
Fireman
Mine/Quarry Name
Polmaise, Nos 1 & 2 Pits
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Archibald Russell Ltd
Location
Stirling
County
Stirlingshire
Details of Event
Gas explosion. One dead, two injured. A gas explosion, in which three men were injured, occurred in a worked out dook off the main section in No.1 pit, Millhall Colliery, about noon on Friday. One of the men, Mr Thomas Laird, aged 57, oversman, Millhall Farm, by Stirling, died in Stirling Royal Infirmary early on Saturday morning from burning injuries and shock. He leaves a widow and family. Boyle received severe injuries about the head, face and hands and is still in a serious condition in Stirling Royal Infirmary. Hamill escaped with burning injuries on the right shoulder and arm and was allowed home on Saturday. The worked out dook is about 400 to 500 fathoms from the pit bottom and the explosion occurred while an inspection was being made by Laird and Boyle. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. Hamill, in an interview with an 'Observer' reporter in the Infirmary on Saturday morning said "I was passing the dook and happened to look towards it just as the explosion occurred. There was a sudden flash and a sheet of flame came past me." Robert Boyle (34), fireman. Fortunately, there were no other men in the immediate vicinity but the explosion was heard by the men at work in the next dook and they immediately hurried to the scene. Some of the effect of the explosion as the fumes were carried on the air current up. The first to reach the injured men was Mr William McFarlane and he actually felt the section. Mr James Watson, general manager and Mr John Muir, manager; shortly afterwards went down the pit and inspected the section. (Stirling Observer).