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Full Details

Surname
WILLIAMSON
Forename
James
Day
16
Month
02
Year
1944
Age
44
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Valleyfield
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Fife Coal Co. Ltd
Location
Newmills
County
Fifeshire
Details of Event
16 February 1944: Miner Buried By Fall of Coal - An unusual type of accident due to a blow-out of small coal was the subject of an inquiry held in Dunfermline Sheriff Court to-day. Victim was James Williamson, miner, 51 Burns Street, High Valleyfield, who was killed on February 16 in Valleyfield Colliery, as a result of being buried by a fall of coal in his working place. Michael Ginelly, developer, 36 Dundonald Terrace, Low Valleyfield, who was working beside Williamson and was partially buried by the fall, said they did not get the slightest warning. The working place was well supported by steel arch girders. The place was well ventilated, and there was a bore hole 15 feet ahead where they were working. Asked if he knew what caused the coal to come out witness said that gas was the only thing that would blow coal out like that. Duncan Paterson, overman, 10 Erskine Brae, Culross, agreed with H.M. Inspector of Mines that an outburst of this nature was not a common thing. He said it was only on very rare occasions that they found bore holes drawing off gas. Witness was satisfied that all necessary precautions were being taken, and Williamson was a very experienced man. Sheriff M'Lean recorded a formal verdict. [Evening Telegraph 16 March 1944]