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Full Details

Surname
WADDELL
Forename
Thomas
Day
22
Month
02
Year
1929
Age
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Kinneil, Furnace Yard Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Kinniel Cannel & Coking Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Bo’ness
County
Linlithgowshire
Details of Event
22 February 1929: Pit Cage Accident – Injured Man Succumbs – The death occurred on Saturday morning of Thomas Kane, miner, Castleloan, Bo'ness, one of the twelve occupants of the ill-fated cage which was struck the previous afternoon by a block of ice in the shaft of Furnaceyard Pit, belonging to Lochgelly Coal Co. (Ltd.) This made a second victim, the other being Thomas Waddell, who stood alongside Kane in one of the division, and who died on reaching the pithead. It is surmised that the ice block fell from midshaft, which means about 100 fathoms, before landing on the hood of the cage which yielded six inches under the blow. Three men were knocked down, Waddell, Kane, and James Baillie. Waddell fared worst of all, and lay helpless at the feet of his comrades. Kane showed wonderful pluck, as, although obviously suffering much, he insisted on walking to his home a quarter of a mile distant. His skull was fractured, and soon after reaching home he lost consciousness and succumbed the following morning at 5.30. He leaves a widow and two children. Baillie escaped unhurt. [Scotsman 25 February 1929] Haywood - Tragic Death - A deep gloom was cast over the district when the sad news was spread abroad of the tragic death of Thomas Waddell, who was born and resided in Haywood until recently. He had his skull fractured by a piece of ice while ascending the shaft of Furnace Yard Pit at Bo'ness. Deceased was of a kind and lovable disposition, quite temperament, always ready to assist any local charity by lending his talent for the benefit of others. Possessed of a rich tenor voice, he was a big asset to the various church choirs that sought his aid. The poignancy of the sudden call is the more acutely felt, inasmuch as he and Mrs Waddell had every arrangement made for being present at the reunion of natives next Friday evening. The deepest sympathy is felt for his widow and children, and his aged mother, now well beyond the three score and ten years. [Hamilton Advertiser 9 March 1929]