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Full Details

Surname
SPEAR
Forename
Thomas
Day
26
Month
05
Year
1908
Age
21
Occupation
Labourer
Mine/Quarry Name
Houghton
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Lambton Collieries Ltd
Location
Houghton le Spring
County
Durham
Details of Event
It is not known precisely how this accident occurred. The man had gone up on to a scaffold, or landing to adjust a chain which is worked off the main shaft of the winding engine and used for pulling tubs up a short inclined gangway on to the pit heap. The place was well fenced, and the man knew his work. It appears to be fairly clear that he must have slipped and got his arm over the drum on the winding engine shaft, and in this way been caught by the chain which lapped around him. He was not wearing a coat at the time and there was nothing in the chain itself which could catch him. The arrangement was an antiquated one and has been done away with.