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Full Details

Surname
SWANN
Forename
John Thomas
Day
18
Month
02
Year
1909
Age
17
Occupation
Dip Minder
Mine/Quarry Name
Stafford, Sutherland Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Stafford Coal & Iron Co. Ltd
Location
Fenton
County
Staffordshire
Details of Event
This accident was brought about by a foolhardy attempt to pull out a bunting peg from between moving wagons. Two loads had been drawn nearly to the top of an incline of 1 in 5. The front load, in fact, was on the landing when the back load left the rails. While it was being dealt with, the bunting peg, which was an iron bar 2ft long and 14ins. in diameter, was fixed in position to hold the first load. Deceased then went alongside the wagons to withdraw the peg while another youth signalled to the motorman to goon. Deceased succeeded in getting the peg out, but the road being low and with little clearance between tubs and the side he was caught and drawn along and his head was crushed against a low projecting portion of the roof. There was plenty of help near at hand and it would have been quite possible for the derailed load to be put on again and pushed up the few feet of incline to the landing without danger to anyone.