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Full Details

Surname
WATCHMAN
Forename
Alexander
Day
18
Month
02
Year
1939
Age
29
Occupation
Mine/Quarry Name
Spoutcroft Mine
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Walter Speirs
Location
Newarthill
County
Lanarkshire
Details of Event
18 February 1939: Fatal Accident In A Cleland Pit - One man was fatally injured, and his companion had a narrow escape, in an accident at Spoutcroft Mine Cleland, on Saturday. The two men, Alexander Watchman (29), Lauchope Street, and Thomas M'Pake (19), 22 Main Street both of Chapelhall, Lanarkshire, were controlling a rake of hutches proceeding up an incline underground when the rope gave way. Watchman was the first to realise the danger, and shouted to his companion to jump clear. M'Pake acted on the warning, and found refuge in the entrance to an adjoining pit road. He escaped with slight injuries to the left shoulder and the left hand. Watchman received the full force of the impact of the foremost hutch and was knocked down. He died later in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Scotsman 20 February 1939]