New Search

Full Details

Surname
ALLISON
Forename
Joseph Thompson
Day
12
Month
12
Year
1905
Age
20
Occupation
Hewer & putter
Mine/Quarry Name
East Pontop
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
East Pontop Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Annfield Plain
County
Durham
Details of Event
Deceased and another young man were hewing double in the night shift in a small stook of coal 7ft wide in the Shield Row seam. The place had just been broken away from the left side of an old rolleyway in which a top caunch 2 feet thick had been taken down from the post roof of the seam which was 3 feet 8 inches thick, and lies at depth of about 12 fathoms. Some coal had been taken off in the previous shift and a prop on a sole tree and plank above had been set about the centre of the place. The deceased examined the place before they started and thought it safe, and he was close at hand when the accident occurred. After they had filled two tubs the prop and plank were found to be loose and while deceased’s mate was holding the plank deceased drove the prop with a mell, when a stone 8 feet long by 3.5 feet thick fell right across the place relieved by a parting above and a jack prop behind with a loose side in front and caught deceased who was not got clear until about one hour afterwards. His mate was knocked to one side and escaped. Considering all the circumstances it is doubtful if sufficient care had been taken in timbering the place and it would have been prudent if deceased or his mate had called the deputy when they were attached to the tub. The pony was found standing near but the limbers were not connected to the tub.