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Full Details

Surname
THOMAS
Forename
Rees
Day
25
Month
10
Year
1908
Age
50
Occupation
Foreman Fitter
Mine/Quarry Name
Oakdale
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Oakdale Navigation Collieries Ltd
Location
Oakdale
County
Monmouthshire
Details of Event
The sinking pump had been drawn up from the bottom of the shaft for the week end, and the water allowed to rise, The pump was suspended on a wire rope which was anchored to the head gear, carried down the shaft, and passed under a pulley attached to the pump (weight of pump and column about 16 tons), and then passed over a pulley in the head gear to a steam capstan. At the time of accident the rope leading to the capstan was clamped at the top of the pit in order to slack and uncoil the rope from the capstan drum as it was not lapping properly having got a certain length of rope uncoiled, it slipped through the clamps and deceased, who was inside the loose coils of the rope, was caught by it, hurled into the air, and killed instantly. A fitter's labourer also had his leg broken by a blow from the rope.