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Full Details

Surname
CAIRNS
Forename
Neil
Day
04
Month
08
Year
1923
Age
35
Occupation
Gummer
Mine/Quarry Name
Tower
Mineral Worked
Coal
Owner
Sanquhar & Kirkconnel Collieries Ltd
Location
Kirkconnel
County
Dumfriesshire
Details of Event
4 August 1923: Fatal Colliery Accident – Kirkconnel Miner Killed - A distressing accident, which resulted in the death of a miner, occurred in the Tower Mine, Kirkconnel, during the early hours of Saturday morning. The unfortunate man was Neil Cairns, who was 35 years of age, and resided at No.1 Kelloholm. He was working on the night shift, and was employed as a gummer with one of the coal-cutting machines. The machine was operating and had passed a roadhead when deceased went to bring some timber. As he was returning a large stone weighing over two tons slipped from his side, and crushed him to the ground. Deceased was a steady workman, and was held in the highest esteem in the district. Of a quiet and obliging nature, he was much thought of both by his employers and his fellow-workers. The tragic occurrence coming at an early hour in the morning created considerable anxiety in the district, and the men on the day shift on learning of the fatality refrained from going to work, and wended their way back home. Deceased leaves a widow and one child, to whom the sympathy of the community is extended in their sad and sudden bereavement. [Dumfries and Galloway Standard 8 August 1923]