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Full Details

Surname
BRIDGE
Forename
James
Day
02
Month
03
Year
1909
Age
35
Occupation
Pikeman
Mine/Quarry Name
Primrose, No.30
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
H.S. Pitt & Co.
Location
Cradley
County
Staffordshire
Details of Event
Deceased was dropping some "Fine Coal" (a portion of the Thick Coal) in a thirling 15ft. in width. The Fine Coal, which was 3ft. in thickness, had already been nicked near the centre of the place, a bridge or spurn of about a foot having been left in. The portion of coal to be taken down was 8ft. in width and about 4 yards in length, and underneath this, three props were set. The doggie visited the place about half an hour prior to the accident, and told deceased to prepare and charge his shot hole before touching the spurn or drawing the props. Instead of doing so, the deceased cut out the spurn, drew the props, fired a flanking hole in the part of the seam immediately below the Fine Coal and then proceeded to punch a vertical hole in the latter. The overhanging and unsupported Fine Coal came away suddenly, a large portion of it falling upon and killing him instantly. Had he obeyed the orders of the doggie, the accident need not have happened.