Single Record

Full Details

Surname

BYRNE

Forename

John

Day

01

Month

08

Year

1929

Age

19

Occupation

Miner

Mine/Quarry Name

Prestonlinks

Mineral Worked

Coal

Owner

Edinburgh Collieries Ltd

Location

Prestonpans

County

Haddingtonshire

Details of Event

1 August 1929: Prestonpans Pit Explosion - John Byrne (19), one of the five miners who were injured a fortnight ago by an explosion of gas at Prestonlinks Colliery, Prestonpans, has died in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. This is the second death which has resulted from the accident, John Morton (26) having died in the Royal Infirmary from his injuries over a week ago. [Scotsman 16 August 1929] Light Which Cost Lives - Echo of Pit Fatalities – Danger of Smoking - A double pit fatality, caused by an explosion of fire-damp which followed immediately after a young miner's drawer struck a match to light a cigarette, in Prestonlinks Colliery, Prestonpans, formed the subject of an inquiry before Sheriff Jameson and a jury at Haddington yesterday. The deceased men were John Morton, miner, residing at 92 Polwarth Terrace, and John Bryne, miner, residing at 70 Summerlee Street, both of Prestonpans, who died in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary from burns caused by the explosion, which occurred on 1st August. The mine manager stated that the workings of the pit where the accident occurred extended for two miles under the sea, and it was impossible, therefore, to have air shafts for ventilation. Safety lamps were required in this portion of the workings, and notices were exhibited warning miners not to use lights, matches, cigarettes, &c. In consequence of gas being found in the workings six months previous to the accident, airways were made. These were not high enough for a man to walk in, but one could travel in them. They were not usable at the time of the accident, due to falls of the roof. The men were systematically searched by the fireman and one or two assistants. Asked for a reason for the explosion, he stated that they had come to the conclusion that some of the men must have struck a match, as there was no other way of the gas having become ignited. There was a possibility of someone having concealed a match for the purpose of having a smoke. There had been a lot of trouble with the men taking matches into the pit, and it was a big change for those who had not been used to so strict regulations. The fireman stated that the miners were warned not to strike any matches. He knew that smoking was being carried on secretly, as he had smelt cigarette smoke definitely every night, but he could never detect the offenders. He conveyed his suspicions to the under manager. Witness had searched the men's coats when their were at work, but had found no matches nor cigarettes. He observed a smell of gas in the mine the day before the accident . Robert Valentine, an elderly miner, stated that the explosion occurred at the time they were at tea. William Storrie (17), a miner's drawer, struck a match to light a "fag," and the explosion immediately followed. There was a huge sheet of flame, and another explosion, and witness was thrown on his face. The match which was struck lighted the gas before Storrie could light his cigarette. He noticed the presence of gas in the pit on the day before, and this was so bad that it affected his breathing. James M. Harkness, a young miner, also testified to the presence of gas in the pit on the previous day, and how it had caused him dizziness. The last witness. Wm. Storrie (17), miner's drawer, was so deaf that it was found impossible in examine him, and he retired from the box. A doctor's certificate was read, showing that Morton died on the 4th August and Bryne on the 14th August in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the cause of their deaths being severe burns caused by an explosion of fire-damp, followed by pneumonia. The jury returned a formal verdict. An agent for the relatives suggested that the jury should add a rider to their verdict that the airways of the mine were defective, and that there had been a failure to report the presence of gas. The jury, however, did not adopt this suggestion. [Scotsman 22 October 1929] Information from the Inspectors of Mines - 1929:  Explosion  At Prestonlinks Colliery, Haddington, five men had taken their rood in a small area in a part of the mine worked by safety lamps, when one of them lit a match to smoke and ignited gas which burned all five men, of whom two died. Work had been resumed in the colliery after a holiday period and the roof of the airway had fallen. The officials were at fault in employing the men under such conditions, and it was only after the hopelessness of taking proceedings was confirmed by the Crown Office that the intention to prosecute was abandoned. The main witnesses against the management would have been firemen, who themselves had made false reports on the state of the district.I find it difficult to understand the mentality of workmen in this colliery. Before the accident and since some of the have been to Court for having matched and cigarettes in their possession in the mine workings.