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Details of Event: 14 June 1940 Miner’s Death Inquiry - How a miner had mistaken his way underground and lost his life through gas poisoning in a disused working was told at a Fatal Accidents Inquiry in Glasgow yesterday. The victim was Thomas Russell (30), 14 Waverley Street, Burnbank, and he had been employed at No. 1 Pit Cardowan Colliery, Stepps. It was stated by the under manager that Russell had been instructed to proceed to the west section for stand-by duty at a pumping unit there. Russell had never been there before, and he had to travel about a mile to reach the pump. Witness gave him directions, and he appeared to understand them. Russell's body was found several hours later in what was known as the "Old Mine Road." This was a section of the pit which had been disused for months, and the entrance to it was fenced and marked “no road.” It was dangerous so far as ventilation was concerned. When witness was called to the scene he found that a part of the fence had been removed. Russell' s body was lying about 30 yards beyond the fence, and his electric lamp lay burning beside him. One of the men crawled through, but had to retire, being almost overcome by gas. Eventually three men made a dash to the spot and brought out the body. Witness could only conclude that Russell had mistaken the way. A formal verdict of “Death by coal-gas poisoning” was returned. [Scotsman 19 July 1940]