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Full Details

Surname
STEWART
Forename
Thomas
Day
29
Month
05
Year
1924
Age
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Orbiston
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Summerlee Iron Co. Ltd
Location
Orbiston
County
Lanarkshire
Details of Event
28 May 1924: Bellshill Miner Killed - A fatal accident took place on Wednesday in Old Orbiston Pit, Bellshill, when Thomas Stewart, of Kenilworth Crescent, Bellshill, was killed by a stone falling from the roof. Two brothers named Brown, of Crossgates, Bellshill, escaped with only slight finger injuries. In another column the accident is more fully reported. [Motherwell Times 30 May 1924] Miner Killed At Bellshill – Two Others Injured - Death grim and sudden, has again visited Bellshill and Thomas Stewart, coal miner, and residing at 79 Kenilworth Crescent, Bellshill, has passed to his long rest with tragic suddenness. A regular worker at Old Orbiston Pit splint coal lodgement section, the deceased was on Wednesday at 2 o’clock preparing for home. Chatting light-heartedly to two workmates, Charles and William Brown, he reached for his coat, when without warning, a part of the roof fell in and, missing the two brothers, pinned Mr Stewart underneath. Even then the unfortunate man was not fatally injured. He was fully conscious, and was able to speak to comrades as they hurriedly laboured to extricate him. But it was not to be. Before they could rescue him a second fall occurred, and Thomas Stewart had passed beyond the aid of man. The accident greatly shook the two men who had so bravely attempted his rescue and it was not until the remains had been carried to the surface that it was discovered that both the brothers had received pretty severe injuries. Charles, the elder of the two, had his foot badly crushed, and William had one of his hands badly mutilated, two of the fingers at least having to be removed - both the result of the second and fatal fall. Dr Muir is attending both young men at their home, but it will be a few days before either of them are fit for their duties again. Mr Stewart leaves a widow and a young family of four, and it is sad to record, that only on the Wednesday previous to his death he had gone to Rothesay and arranged for holiday accommodation there for his wife and family. Now he is gone and his wife, who has been in very indifferent health for some time, is utterly and completely prostrated by her sudden bereavement. The warm sympathy of the whole district is extended to her and to her children, in their great loss. [Motherwell Times 30 May 1924]