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Full Details

Surname
BROWELL
Forename
John
Day
22
Month
01
Year
1914
Age
50
Occupation
Chargeman
Mine/Quarry Name
Clara Vale
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Stella Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Clara Vale
County
Durham
Details of Event
Deceased was firing shots in a 6-feet diameter ‘upover staple’ 6-feet above the seam roof using Polarite fired by detonator and fuse. Four shots were charged, and he intended lighting two side holes at the same time. One of the stoneman engaged at the staple was present from whose evidence it appears that after retiring to a place of safety they heard one shot go off instead of two as expected. They both went back at once, and when deceased reached the top of the staple a sumping shot placed in the roof, 3 feet 6 inches away from the fired hole, went off and instantly killed him. The witness affirmed that this was not the shot that deceased had attempted to light, and there was nothing to show how it became ignited.