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Full Details

Surname
WILSON
Forename
William
Day
28
Month
10
Year
1908
Age
36
Occupation
Fitter
Mine/Quarry Name
West Ardsley
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Yorkshire Iron & Coal Co. Ltd
Location
West Ardsley
County
Yorkshire WR
Details of Event
On the day of the accident the pit was off work, but the coke ovens and electric light engine were working. At 4pm. the foreman fitter was told a joint in the range of steam pipes leading to the washer at a bend taking the steam under the colliery sidings was blowing and he gave the deceased and another fitter instructions to remake it and they did so when this was done and the steam turned on again, it was found that the bottom joint of the bend and started to blow and the foreman decided that it should also be remade. The steam was turned off, and this was done. These two joints are below the ground level in a hole which was bricked round. After the joints were remade the men all came out and all the drainage outlets were opened and the steam gradually turned on until the full pressure was on the pipes this took about 15 minutes. Then all the engines started working. The deceased went into the hole again to finally tighten the joint and had screwed up five out of the six bolts of the bottom joint, and was engaged with the sixth when about an inch of the india-rubber ring blew out, and the escaping steam slightly scalded the front of his body and legs. Died November 1st.