Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 12 September 1902

Colliery Fatality at Houghton

Mitchell Main Youth Killed.

A sad fatality occurred at Houghton Main Colliery on Monday, the 8th inst., which resulted in the death of George Storey, aged 18 years, who resided at 36, Mitchell’s Terrace. Wombwell.

The deceased was working in the pit, it is thought his pony had knocked a prop out and let the roof down on to him.

The inquiry was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Horse Shoe Hotel. Wombwell, by Mr. Dossey Wightman, district coroner.

Mr. J. S. Elliott, manager of the Houghton Main Colliery, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Colliery Company; and M. Mr. W. H. Pickering, H. Inspector of Mines, was present.

Evidence of identification having been given, John Sullivan, a miner, deposed that at about 11.15 a.m. on Monday, the 8th inst. he was in his working-place at the Houghton Main Colliery when he was sent for; he hurried out, and found deceased buried under a fall at dirt that had taken place. He was quite covered by the dirt and was laid between the first tub and the pony.

Questioned by the Coroner as to how, in his opinion, the accident had happened, the witness stated that he thought the pony may have stumbled, and in so doing caught one of the props, or fallen against one, and so knocked it out. The prop supported the roof and when it was knocked away it let the loose stone and dirt down on to deceased. There were no other persons near at the time. Deceased had only a couple of tubs, attached to the pony and had the requisite number of lockers in the tub wheels. When deceased was got out he was dead, his neck being broken. They examined the prop, which was also buried, and that there were marks on it where the chain and limmers had caught it.

Deceased was very much bruised about the body.

The Coroner thought that they could only bring it in as accidental; and ultimately the jury returned a verdict that the demand had been “Accidentally killed by a fall of roof.”