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Full Details

Surname
TITLEY
Forename
James
Day
16
Month
11
Year
1914
Age
53
Occupation
Timberer
Mine/Quarry Name
Holly Bank
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Holly Bank Colliery Co. Ltd
Location
Essington
County
Staffordshire
Details of Event
Some roof had been taken down at the foot of a jig in order increase the height of the road. Five cross-girders had been raised about 3 feet, and were supported at the ends upon punch props set upon the old carrying girder at the jig side. Deceased was preparing to put up a new carrying girder to these cross-girders at the jig side. He was sinking a hole for one of the trees when suddenly the old carrying girders and the five above it fell followed by a large quantity of roof and deceased was buried. A further fall took place and he died before he could be extricated. He had evidently undermined the tree supporting the old carrying girder while making the hole for the new tree. If middle trees had been put up to the girders the accident most probably have been prevented. Deceased was a very experienced timberer but it would appear to have been rather a rash proceeding to attempt to support the roof at a junction even temporarily upon so many punch props.