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Full Details

Surname
SHANKS
Forename
Peter
Day
20
Month
12
Year
1943
Age
28
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Burnhead
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Burnhead Coal Co.
Location
Avonbridge
County
Stirlingshire
Details of Event
20 December 1943: Pithead Mishap – One Man Killed and Three Injured – Four miners were injured, one fatally, when the pithead at Burnhead coal mine, Avonbridge, Stirlingshire, suddenly collapsed at the week-end. The injured were:- Peter Shanks (28), Heatherdew, Longriggend; Robert Healey (21), 145 Main Street, Caldercruix; Gavin Millar (56). Old Main Street, Airdrie; and Alexander Finlay (44), Blackloch Farm, Limerigg. All were engaged at the pithead at the time, and as a result of the collapse they were thrown 21 feet to the ground. Finlay and Millar were able to climb out of the wreckage. Shanks and Healey, however were buried in timber and hutches, and when these were removed it was found that they were badly injured. Shanks, Millar, and Healey were removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where Shanks died after admission. Millar and Healey have been detained suffering from severe head injuries. [Scotsman 21 December 1943]