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Full Details

Surname
TURNER
Forename
John
Day
17
Month
03
Year
1908
Age
36
Occupation
Stone Getter
Mine/Quarry Name
Himley, No.08
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Earl of Dudley
Location
Gornalwood
County
Staffordshire
Details of Event
Deceased and another were instructed by the doggie to draw some timber at a gateway end in the Heathen coal. He went to fetch an axe for this purpose and, for a short cut, returned through an old bolt hole 12ft. long 3ft. 6ins. wide, and 2ft. 9ins. high. When halfway through, the head coal, which formed the roof, suddenly gave way, and it and a quantity of the overlying batts fell upon him. Hearing him shout his mates went to his assistance and had succeeded in uncovering his head when a further fall of batts completely buried him. He was extricated in half an hour but was then dead. The roof in the old bolt hole had not previously appeared to be unsafe, although the head coal was very much crushed and broken.