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Full Details

Surname
WILLIAMSON
Forename
George
Day
20
Month
08
Year
1907
Age
25
Occupation
Banksman
Mine/Quarry Name
Netherton
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Netherton Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Netherton
County
Northumberland
Details of Event
The Howard Pit is 25 fathoms deep to the landing at the Five Quarter Seam, and is traversed by two cages, only one of which is used when sending material down the pit from the surface level below the screening floor. The shaft is fenced round at the surface level, and provided with gates. Deceased had acted for about a month as night shift banksman, and about 9.50pm on the day of the accident had sent down a tub of props and called to the onsetter that he was sending down a tub of lime and stones. After the onsetter had taken the tub of props off the cage he signalled to the engineman that all was clear, but the cage was not moved as no shout had been heard from the deceased. Whether deceased had shouted or not he appears to have been under the impression that the cage had returned to the surface level, as he opened the gate and pushed the tub of lime and stones into the shaft, and fell with it on to the top of the cage and was instantly killed. There was no fixed light at the surface level, but the deceased had a lighted hand lamp with him. When he first started as banksman the engineman had to ask him to shout his signals louder. The Jury recommended that a fixed light he placed at the point from which he fell. The Local Inspectors reported ‘We think that it is a pure accident and have no complaints to make.'