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Full Details

Surname
SPIERS
Forename
John
Day
17
Month
12
Year
1936
Age
41
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Frances
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Fife Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Dysart
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
17 December 1936: A ONE IN TEN THOUSAND DEATH- MAN'S HEART FAILS UNDER CHLOROFORM - Dysart Miner's Accident Two Years Ago Recalled - The efforts of doctors to save the life of a Dysart miner who died while under an anaesthetic in Kirkcaldy Hospital were told at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to-day during evidence a fatal accident inquiry. John Spiers (41), miner, residing at 97 High Street, Dysart, died as a result of an accident nearly two years before at the Frances Colliery, Dysart. The inquiry was conducted by Sheriff Dudley Stuart and a jury. James Cunningham, miner, 2 Carlow Place, Leven, said he was employed in No. 2 Bowhouse Section, Frances Colliery. About 4 p.m., on 7th January, 1935, witness said he saw Spiers in a kneeling position working at a hole when without warning a large piece of coal burst from the coal face and fell on him. The piece of coal was about four yards long and two-and-a-half feet thick. At this place there were supports three or four feet on either side of where the part came away. The coal lay across Spiers' chest and leg. Witness continued that he had to get assistance to remove the coal. First aid was given and Spiers was removed to the surface. Asked by Mr R. S. Henderson, procurator fiscal, if that place had been examined by the fireman witness said he expected it would be. He did not see the fireman make his examination. Two Tons Weight. - Archibald M'Tavish, underground fireman, 39 Cook Street, Dysart, said he was informed shortly after4 p.m. that a man had been injured. The weight of the coal was about two tons and tapered from the foot to the top. It had made a clean parting from the face. Steel supports to keep the coal from coming down were unplaced after the accident. Witness said he had examined that part about an hour before the accident and had found everything in order. In answer to Mr Currie, of Messrs Currie, M'Beth & Co., solicitors, Dunfermline, witness said there had been one support knocked out by the fall of coal. Evidence was also given by Robert Spiers, pit oversman, St Clair Street, Boreland, brother of the deceased. He stated that his brother was suffering from a fracture of the left femur and smaller injuries. He was operated upon twice prior to June, 1935, when he was discharged from Kirkcaldy Hospital. He continued to visit the hospital for massage treatment, and on September, 1936, he was admitted to the hospital for further operation to his left leg, after which the leg was placed in plaster of paris. On 17th December, 1936 he underwent another operation, and after about 15 minutes under the anaesthetic he collapsed and died. Questioned Mr Henderson, Dr Wishart, Kirkcaldy, stated that the cause of death was stoppage of the heart. He added that the percentage of persons who died under the influence of chloroform was one in 10,000. Rare Occurrence. - Dr James Langwill, Kirkcaldy, replying to questions dealing with the operation, said that Spiers had made a sort of gasping noise. There was no sign of breathing. “We gave him injections," he said, "and Dr Stirling made heart manipulation, but after working for half an hour we stopped. This is a very rare occurrence, and is only the second time in 23 years that I have seen this happen." Dr John Hilferty, assistant to Dr Brown, Kirkcaldy, was given a formal warning by the Sheriff that he did not require to give evidence unless he desired. Dr Hilferty said that he was willing to give evidence. He stated that on December 19 he was on duty in Kirkcaldy Hospital on the occasion on which the operation was performed on Spiers' knee. You had him under your charge previously?—Yes. Did you administer the anaesthetic? —Yes. Dr Stirling, surgeon, was present to do the manipulative part of the operation ?— Yes. Needle Through Heart. - Dr Hilferty added that after the anaesthetic had proceeded for 15 minutes the patient's respiration ceased and it was found his heart had failed. Artificial respiration was applied and injections were given. A needle was also passed through the heart so that he could receive direct electrical stimulation. His heart never pulsed any more. In answer to Mr R W. Currie. Dunfermline, for the relatives, Dr Hilferty said that the anaesthetic was identical with that used on a previous occasion. You examined his heart on both occasions ? —Yes. A few minutes before the operation was the heart perfectly normal? —Yes. Was the man excited at the thought of going through the operation? —His heart was quite normal. The Sheriff—Everything was given of the best, skill of the profession? —Yes. The jury returned a formal verdict, adding that they were satisfied that all skill had been given before and during the operation. [Evening Telegraph 1 February 1937]