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Full Details

Surname
WILSON
Forename
Thomas
Day
27
Month
11
Year
1937
Age
33
Occupation
Miner
Mine/Quarry Name
Earnock, No.3 Pit
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
John Watson Ltd
Location
Hamilton
County
Lanarkshire
Details of Event
27 November 1937: One man was killed and two others were injured when a fall of roof occurred at Earnock Colliery, Hamilton, on Saturday. The dead man is Thomas Wilson (33), who resided at 2 Kenilworth Crescent, Hamilton; while those injured are William M'Lean, colliery fireman, Argyll Buildings Earnock Road, Burnbank Hamilton; and Walter Winning, Station Road, Blantyre. M'Lean suffered injuries to his legs and shoulder while Winning was injured on the back and legs. The injured men were removed to their homes after receiving medical attention at the pit bottom. They are reported to be progressing favourably. Wilson was married only a year ago. He leaves a widow and one child. Wilson and Winning were employed as miners in the Splint coal section of No.3 Pit. About eight o'clock on Saturday morning they were joined by M'Lean who was making his customary inspection of the working places. Without warning the timber supporting the roof collapsed and struck the three men, throwing them to the ground. Part of the roof also gave way and the debris fell on top of the timber which had already trapped the men. Wilson was smothered while Winning and M'Lean were trapped by wood and stone. The total weight of the debris amounted to several tons. Workmen in the vicinity rushed to the scene and worked frantically to extricate their colleagues. After half an hour Winning and M'Lean were dragged out. Subsequently Wilson was also dragged out, but it was found that he was dead. [Scotsman 29 November 1937]