East Hetton Colliery

1836 - Sinking operations were commenced at North Pit, Kelloe Colliery, and the shaft sunk to the Harvey Seam.

1856 - A new pit was sunk at Kelloe and put down to the Main Coal Seam.

1873 - Five Quarter seam worked out

1880 - Linked underground with Trimdon Grange

1887 - Main seam worked out

1894 - Main Coal seam abandoned - coal exhausted

Adams, F., 16 Jan 1887, (accident: 13 Jan 1887), aged 65, Screenman, severely crushed between trucks and screen wall

Adamson, John George, 12 Aug 1916, (accident: 19 Jun 1914), aged 36, Stoneman, fractured spine [More information ...]

Applegarth, George Robert, 24 Feb 1951, aged 40, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Cornforth

Armstrong, John, 30 May 1912, aged 18, Putter and filler, he was bringing a full tub down a gateway, dipping one in seven, when for some unknown reason the tub overturned, and he was found with his bead crushed between the tub wheel and the side of the road [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 02 Jun 1912 pg 4], Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Arnold, James, 28 Nov 1877, aged 12, Driver, crushed against side of cage at pit bottom during a panic of the workmen, caused by a false alarm that water had burst into the pit

Atkinson, William, 13 Feb 1896, aged 56, Hewer, Died from the effects of a stroke while coming out-bye from work

Bainbridge, Frederick, 25 Mar 1933, (accident: 22 Mar 1933), aged 38, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Bainbridge, Thomas William, 19 Jun 1898, aged 16, Labourer, He had been taking some food to his brother-in-law, who was employed at the colliery as a boiler-minder, and when returning took a road under which a coke oven flue passed, and when he was walking over it the flue collapsed; he fell in and was burned to death.

Barkell, John, 07 Apr 1913, aged 31, Enginewright, it had been reported to the deceased that the bottom cage was fast in the shaft; he descended another shaft and found the cage was free; he then went on to the top of this cage to examine the shaft; the movement of the cages liberated the top cage snook, which dropped on to his head, killing him instantly; it was found that it was the top cage that had stuck, and a tub was wedged between it and the shaft side; probably the tub had not been properly snecked [Sunderland Echo reports: accident - 09 Apr 1913 pg 6]

Barraclough, C., 03 Sep 1930, aged 53, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Beattie, Andrew, 22 Sep 1892, 8:00 p.m., 3rd hour of shift, aged 42, Stoneman, back broken by a fall of stone in gateway [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 24 Sep 1892 pg 3 col 1] [More information ...]

Bell, Peter, 11 Mar 1895, 1:00 p.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 32, Deputy, fall of a large stone from the roof while visiting a working place, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard [More information ...]

Bell, Robert, 16 Feb 1886, aged 45, Hewer, died today from injuries received by a fall of stone on 22nd April

Bird, William, 28 May 1941, (accident: 23 Apr 1941), aged 40, Shaftman, fell from gangway, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Blenkinsopp, J. D., 14 Nov 1904, aged 21, Rolleywayman, he was oiling a haulage wheel at junction when it was in motion, and got his clothes fast between the wheel and fence, and was drawn in and killed

Bowman, Joseph Willis, 27 Feb 1967, Overman, died from a heart attack whilst working in the office prior to going underground

Boyd, Robert, 17 May 1877, aged 32, Shaftman, fall of stone from side of upcast shaft about 30 fathoms from bottom, striking him on the head while repairing guides

Brown, James, 16 Apr 1875, aged 37, Sinker, fell from five quarter seam to main coal while repairing shaft

Brown, James, 21 Apr 1888, (accident: 13 Apr 1888), aged 14, Driver, struck on head and arms by an iron bolt falling from a tub while ascending the shaft

Brown, Richard, 11 Jun 1899, (accident: 06 Jun 1899), aged 49, Stoneman, Some tubs had displaced a baulk on a waggon-way, and he was preparing to reset it, when a fall of stone came away and caught him, injuring him about face, legs, and internally. Died on the 11th. [More information ...]

Bulmer, R., 19 Feb 1927, aged 16, Driver, crushed

Campbell, William, 15 Jun 1879, (accident: 30 May 1879), aged 46, Banksman, blow to head caused by a safety gate being thrown from its place by the cage, he worked for a week after the accident

Carr, Henry, 26 Aug 1909, (accident: 18 Oct 1908), aged 36, Stoneman, He was injured by a cauldron bottom, 6 feet in diameter and 15 inches thick, falling upon him. He died on 26th August, 1909, his back having been broken

Carr, John, 23 Jan 1906, (accident: 18 Jan 1906), aged 68, Stoneman, When clearing a space to put in a packwall, a large stone fell away from a smooth parting. It struck him and severely injured him. He died five days afterwards.

Carr, Thomas, 19 Oct 1922, (accident: 07 Jul 1922), aged 24, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Cherry, Thomas, 28 Dec 1889, aged 17, Putter, head crushed between tub and side of road by a tub leaving the line at a switch

Christison, Charles, 24 Aug 1900, (accident: 26 Jul 1900), aged 43, Onsetter, Shaft lad was lowering down tubs, and did not get plenty of sprags in, and he was crushed between tubs and shaft timber, and his thigh was fractured. Died August 24th.

Clotworthy, Andrew, 09 Apr 1894, 2:30 p.m., 9th hour of shift, aged 63, Screener, Died while at his work on the screens, from syncope following previous heart disease [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident] [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 10 Apr 1894 pg 3 col 5]

Coatham, James, 10 Mar 1921, (accident: 07 Mar 1921), aged 15, killed on the duff heap, of Coxhoe Square, Coxhoe, died from pneumonia following burns on 10th March [More information ...]

Conway, Michael, 25 Jan 1875, aged 40, Screenman, crushed between waggons at bank

Cutty, Edward, 22 Aug 1920, (accident: 08 Aug 1916), Hewer, On 8th Aug 1916 he was injured by a fall of stone; his right arm was later amputated at the elbow joint. Up to February last he was employed on light work, but his condition worsened and he had hardly been out of the house since. He died from tuberculosis set up by the accident.

Davison, Matthew, 23 May 1898, aged 25, Hewer, when bringing a pillar back they had got 15 yards of goaf on, and a very large stone fell and canted four rows of props out, and killed these three men instantly [More information ...]

Davison, T. H., 13 Feb 1934, (accident: 23 Oct 1929), aged 19, Putter, kicked by pony

Dixon, Ralph, 14 Oct 1924, aged 15, Screen Boy, crushed

Dobinson, Edwin, 09 Jun 1906, aged 35, Hewer, He was killed by a fall of stone which discharged the two props sent beneath it to support it., Buried: Coxhoe Churchyard

Dockray, John, 02 May 1887, aged 31, Hewer, fall of stone which broke off at a slip close to his working place in a broken jud

Donnelly, Ferdinand James, 16 Apr 1897, (accident: 09 Apr 1894), died on Good Friday, 16th April; while working at East Hetton Colliery on 9th April 1894, he received an injury to one of his fingers which prevented him from working again; there was no inquest; it was certified that death was due to dropsy

Errington, -, 1942, address: Shadforth [approximate date]

Evans, John, 22 Aug 1967, underground accident

Finlay, William Andrew, 07 Sep 1900, (accident: 06 Sep 1900), aged 13, Helper-up, He was assisting a driver to lift a full tub on to the way when a piece of stone fell from the side on to and crushed him internally. Died following day.

Fisher, Henry, 29 Jan 1899, (accident: 03 Dec 1898), aged 63, Shifter, Died to-day from injuries received on December 23rd last, by a fall of a side stone from a "hitch" when building a pack in longwall face.

Garside, John, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 51, Stoneman, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Gibbon, Anthony, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 41, Shifter, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery [More information ...]

Gibbon, George, 03 Oct 1864, aged 11, Wailer, crushed by duff sheave on waste heap

Gibson, John, 07 Mar 1921, aged 19, killed on the duff heap, single, living with parents at Joint Stocks, Coxhoe [More information ...]

Gorman, Thomas, 23 May 1898, aged 45, Hewer, when bringing a pillar back they had got 15 yards of goaf on, and a very large stone fell and canted four rows of props out, and killed these three men instantly, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard [More information ...]

Griffiths, John, 16 Mar 1895, 2:45 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 48, Stoneman, premature explosion of a shot while engaged lighting it up

Hall, Robert, 16 Aug 1932, aged 32, Stoneman, fall of concrete, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Hall, William, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 50, Shifter, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery [More information ...]

Harker, John, 22 Feb 1932, aged 59, Screenman, he was taken ill at work, taken home in the colliery ambulance and died in the afternoon

Harkness, Robert, 08 Mar 1921, aged 48, killed on the duff heap, of Thornley, died of shock from burns, the inside of his mouth and air passage were burnt, Buried: Wheatley Hill Cemetery [More information ...]

Harley, Geoge Matthew Harrison, 22 Sep 1953, (accident: 19 Aug 1953), aged 51, Underground Brick Labourer, he died in Durham County Hospital a month after being crushed by a tub of coal behind which he was taking refuge during shot firing operations in the Tilley district; the endless rope system started up after the third shot was fired and three tubs passed over him

Harnson, William, 20 May 1901, aged 47, Shifter, when making a place ready at face of longwall, a piece of stone fell from the roof at two slips, and so severely injured him that he died four hours afterwards

Hewitson, Matthew, 06 Nov 1936, (accident: 03 Nov 1936), aged 15, Landing Lad, runaway tubs, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe [More information ...]

Hewitson, Robert, 30 Jan 1903, aged 47, Stoneman, alleged to have died from injury caused by a fall of stone, but a post-mortem examination showed that death was due to cancer [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident]

Hogg, Adam, 14 Mar 1870, aged 45, Sinker, ground ropes of sinking set broke and knocked him down the shaft

Hope, Peter, 21 Sep 1850, (accident: 18 Sep 1850), aged 11, he was knocked down by a tub which ran amain down an incline of the Kelloe Pit; he died on the 21st. from severe back injuries

Houghton, John, 16 Aug 1907, (accident: 09 Aug 1907), aged 24, Deputy, he died in hospital and claimed he had injured himself heaving a tub on the 9th, but at the inquest death was attributed to natural causes

Howcroft, Moses, 28 Jan 1903, aged 52, Kirver, commencing to kirve, when a stone fell from roof, at a slip, and killed him

Hughes, Price, 08 May 1877, aged 13, Driver, run over by a full tub while riding outbye, the horse became detached on account of using a pair of broken limbers

Hutchinson, Thomas, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 49, Stoneman, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard [More information ...]

Jones, Hugh, 12 Aug 1871, aged 26, Hewer, fall of stone caused a pick to be forced into his forehead

Jury, Richard, 03 Nov 1930, aged 34, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Kane, Thomas, 12 Jun 1894, 11:00 a.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 50, Hewer, Crushed between cage and frame when getting into cage, which was taken away in consequence of a mistake in the electric signals [Sunderland Daily Echo reports: accident - 13 Jun 1894 pg 3] [More information ...]

Laidler, Joseph, 08 Jun 1869, aged 14, Compass Boy, a stone fell down a staple onto him

Layton, William, 28 Sep 1876, (accident: 27 Sep 1876), aged 13, Driver, injury to back by a fall of stone

Lethbridge, John, 16 Oct 1900, aged 18, Putters filler, Filling a tub when a fall of stone fell from roof at a slip between timber and face and killed him.

Lincoln, William, 26 Dec 1891, 4:30 a.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 53, Screenman, while attempting to sprag some waggons in motion he seems to have fallen between the buffers

Lister, Jonathan, 05 Jan 1906, aged 26, Shifter, When riding in the cage at the outer end, with several others, he fell head foremast into the shaft. There was no disturbance in the cage. He was subject to fits. [More information ...]

Luke, Thomas, 23 May 1898, aged 47, Deputy, when bringing a pillar back they had got 15 yards of goaf on, and a very large stone fell and canted four rows of props out, and killed these three men instantly, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard [More information ...]

McDonald, John, 1969, [details unknown]

McPhillips, Hugh, 26 Mar 1897, aged 57, Stoneman, Pinching a stone down after having fired a shot, when a large stone fell away close to the coal face and killed him

Mole, William, 28 Feb 1942, (accident: 27 Feb 1942), aged 35, Driller, gas ignition, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Moody, John Robert, 26 Jul 1910, aged 34, Kirver, He was just leaving his place at the end of his shift, when a stone 16 feet long and 12 inches thick with a maximum width of 4 feet fell from between two breakers on to him and killed him. The stone in falling canted out two props

Morris, Patrick, 07 Dec 1887, (accident: 24 Nov 1887), aged 25, Hewer, injury to back by fall of stone

Moyle, Nicholas F., 19 Jul 1905, (accident: 14 Jul 1905), aged 57, Hewer, seized with apoplexy in the mine on the 14th instant; died on the 19th instant from natural causes

Neasham, James, 09 Feb 1951, aged 48, Deputy, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Nesham, T., 09 Sep 1940, (accident: 27 Sep 1939), aged 44, Puller Up, died from injuries received

Nixon, William, 19 Feb 1877, aged 61, Shifter, fall of stone while working at a fall on rolley way

Nixon, William, 30 Aug 1882, aged 17, Station Boy, fall of stone on rolley way, caused by set getting off the way and knocking out some props, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Oliver, James, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 42, Wasteman, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery [More information ...]

Pearson, Edward, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 50, Wasteman, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery [More information ...]

Peat, William, 30 Jan 1893, 1:00 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 17, Locomotive Fireman, Got his foot fast in a crossing. Several waggons ran over and took his leg off. He died shortly after.

Prest, John, 17 Mar 1921, (accident: 07 Mar 1921), aged 47, killed on the duff heap, of George Street, Quarrington Hill, died from toxaemia following burns, inquest: 17th March [More information ...]

Prest, John William, 22 Feb 1939, aged 34, Filler, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Quinn, James, 08 Oct 1917, aged 14, Driver, he was unyoking his pony from a empty tub when a large stone fell from the roof, partly buring him and killing him on the spot, he had only been employed a few months at the pit

Raine, John, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 63, Wasteman, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery [More information ...]

Rest, Christopher, 16 Feb 1882, Miner, suffocated by after-damp coming from Trimdon Grange

Richards, Albert, 21 Aug 1912, aged 19, Nut waggon attendant [More information ...]

Ritson, Thomas, 11 Apr 1876, aged 42, Changer and Graither, fell off scaffold at top of low set of pumps into bottom - 50 fathoms

Robinson, Frank, 07 Mar 1921, aged 17, killed on the duff heap, brother of Henry [More information ...]

Robinson, George William, 17 Oct 1912, (accident: 09 Oct 1912), aged 16, Assistant Onsetter, died from the result of injuries received at the bottom of an upcast shaft at which iron doors actuated by the cages are in use; the bottom deck of the cage had been loaded with two full tubs, and as it was being lowered in order that the top deck might be loaded, the deceased noticed the sneck was not properly holding the tubs in the bottom deck; while the cage was in motion he attempted to kick the sneck into position with his foot, but unfortunately the middle hoop of the cage caught his foot causing injuries from which he died eight days after, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Robinson, Henry, 07 Mar 1921, aged 14, killed on the duff heap, brother of Frank, of Cow Close, Coxhoe [More information ...]

Robinson, Joseph, 15 Jun 1934, aged 49, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: St. Mary's Parish Church, Coxhoe

Robinson, Matthew, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 26, Shifter, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery [More information ...]

Robinson, Thomas, 11 Feb 1946, aged 59, gassed, Buried: St. Mary's Parish Church, Coxhoe

Robson, George, 19 Aug 1915, (accident: 17 Aug 1915), aged 25, Hewer, He was seriously injured in the Harvey seam and died two days later. He and William Eslick were working back to back hewing coal at the holing which had been made during the previous shift. Suddenly there was a crash, and when Eslick turned round he saw Robson underneath a stone almost six feet square. It took an hour to get him out.

Robson, R., 03 Nov 1941, (accident: 13 Oct 1941), aged 44, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone

Robson, Thomas, 27 Sep 1911, (accident: 10 May 1911), aged 21, Pony Putter, he had put an empty tub into a siding and went in to bring out a full one; the place was only a short way up, and as soon as the pony was hung on it started away; the putter was nipped between the full tub and the empty tub in the siding; he walked home, but did not work again, and he died on 27th September, 1911; an inquest was held on 30th September, 1911, following a post mortem; after hearing medical evidence the jury found that death was due to neurasthenia, brought about by the accident

Roney, Thomas, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 58, Shifter, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery [More information ...]

Ross, John, 20 Sep 1929, (accident: Feb 1926), aged 38, he had not worked since his accident in the pit; he died from a cerebral haemorhage; a post mortem established that death was due to natural causes and not as a result of the accident

Scott, John, 20 Sep 1887, aged 29, Stoneman, run over by waggons on railway near the pit while trespassing and attempting to get on the waggons while in motion

Scott, Joseph, 29 Dec 1943, aged 56, Overman, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Scott, Richard Martin, 18 Nov 1927, aged 16, shaft accident [date of report], Buried: Quarrington Churchyard [More information ...]

Scott, Robert, 18 Oct 1896, (accident: 03 Sep 1896), aged 40, Hewer, Back injured by a fall of stone in his working place

Shaw, Richardson, 28 Jul 1906, (accident: 02 Jul 1906), aged 56, Stoneman, He had a rib broken by a fall of roof, but was thought by the doctor to he little the worse. He died on 28th July from syncope, following upon pleuro-pneumonia, resulting from the accident.

Shepherd, George, 25 Aug 1920, aged 65, Engineman, he went under the screens to oil the jigger engine drum and was struck and killed by an empty truck as he crossed the rails

Short, Robert W., 25 Apr 1907, (accident: 24 Apr 1907), aged 20, Endless-rope boy, he was dragged along the way and run over by a set of full tubs

Smith, Edward, 06 May 1897, 3:30 a.m., aged 26, Shifter, killed in the 1897 disaster (inundation of water from old workings), Inundation of water in Cassop way of Harvey seam, owing to workings holing into old workings from Cassop colliery [More information ...]

Stokoe, William, 1982, aged 50, Fitter, trapped under conveyor [approximate date & age]

Storey, W., 07 Oct 1938, (accident: 28 Feb 1938), aged 54, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Swinbank, George, 05 Sep 1922, aged 22, Putter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: St. Mary's Parish Church, Coxhoe

Talbot, William, 16 Aug 1887, aged 46, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Thornton, R. A., 19 Oct 1938, (accident: 15 Nov 1937), aged 32, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone

Tunney, John Joseph, 13 Feb 1901, aged 16, Putter & Filler, he was filling a tub at the face when a stone with a feather edge fell from the roof on to his back, causing such severe injuries that he died the same day, Buried: Metal Bridge Cemetery

Turton, James Edward, 17 Aug 1962, aged 29, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Varty, James, 29 Aug 1876, aged 51, Waggonman, crushed between waggons while setting out from screens

Wadge, Thomas Cocking, 27 Oct 1883, aged 30, Timber Drawer, fall of stone while drawing timber in a long wall, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard/Cemetery, Wingate

Walker, Thomas, 18 Oct 1893, (accident: 13 Oct 1893, 12:00 p.m., 6th hour of shift), aged 40, Back Overman, Severe injury to spine by fall of stone. Died on 18th inst.

Ward, G. R., 14 Feb 1941, aged 45, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Wearmouth, Robert jnr., 17 Oct 1900, (accident: 13 Oct 1900), aged 23, Labourer, He was cleaning out a boiler and the boiler-minder sludged some of the other boilers ; some scale had got into and prevented the valve of this boiler shutting closely and there was a slight escape of steam which severely scalded him all over the body. Died on the 17th inst. [More information ...]

Weatherley, Peter, 03 May 1870, aged 18, Sinker, stone fell upon him from side of shaft

Weldon, Thomas, 10 Jan 1894, (accident: 04 Jan 1894, 3:00 p.m., 6th hour of shift), aged 40, Hewer, Crushed by fall of stone. Died on 10th instant.

West, Robert Charles, 10 Jan 1929, aged 19, Buried: Coxhoe Churchyard

West, Thomas, 05 Mar 1889, aged 49, Hewer, fall of a large stone while working in his place, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Wetherall, James, 09 Jul 1962, aged 59, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Wetherall, John, 15 Apr 1875, aged 52, Sinker, sling chain broke while putting in spars

Wilkinson, George, 12 Oct 1904, aged 26, Hewer, sitting curving a jud, when a large stone from the roof at a "jack" fell, and killed him

Wilson, Robert, 27 Jun 1933, aged 38, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Wilson, Robert, 27 Jun 1936, aged 35, died from injuries received, Buried: Quarrington Churchyard

Winter, -, 1942, address: Shadforth [approximate date]

Winter, J., 01 Mar 1940, aged 38, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Woodward, Herbert, 16 Dec 1963, aged 37, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Woodward, William, 02 Mar 1942, aged 41, Driller, gas ignition, Buried: St. Helen's Parish Church/Cemetery, Kelloe

Wray, William, 09 Feb 1871, aged 21, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone