Easington Colliery Explosion

Miners’ Evidence At Inquiry

The inquiry into the explosion on May 29 at Easington colliery, County Durham, in which 81 miners lost their lives and which led to the death of two rescue workers, was opened yesterday at Easington by Mr. H. C. W. Roberts, Chief Inspector of Mines.

A number of miners said in evidence that after the explosion there was a dust cloud so thick that it blacked out the lights. Wilfred Cook, a fore overman, said that the dust carried a smell of burning rubber. Other witnesses described it as a "queer smelling, dark mist."

Mr. Sam Watson, secretary of the Durham area of the National Union of Mineworkers, asked questions about stone dusting at the loading machines.

Leslie Kears, one of the survivors, said that the men used to stone dust at the loader, "if they had any spare time." He had done it himself. After he had done it the place "looked like snow" and was still the same two hours later. He agreed that by the end of the shift it was black again with coal dust.

Replying to Mr. W. L. Miron, for the National Coal Board, Kears agreed that in addition to the men at the loader doing stone dusting in their spare time a team of six lads did nothing but stone dusting. Questioned again by Mr. Watson, he said that if there was no spare time no stone dusting was done.

Dr. D. A. Rewell, area chief scientist of the Coal Board, told Mr. Watson that he did not know whether or not the seam where the explosion took place was the most highly electrified district in the pit. Questioned about stone dusting, Dr. Rewell said that he had heard that a thin covering of coal dust on stone dust was regarded as dangerous, even if the dust sample showed 90 per cent. of incombustible material.

The inquiry was adjourned until to-day.