Murton Colliery

1838 - The sinking of the Murton Colliery was commenced in the early part of the year, under the supervision of Mr. Edward Potter, for Colonel Bradyll and Partners, forming the South Hetton Coal Company two pits, each 14 ft. in diameter, being carried forward simultaneously at a spot where it had been ascertained by boring that the limestone was 456 ft. thick, and the bed of sand beneath 30 to ft. thick. The water encountered on piercing the limestone was tubbed off so that immediately previous to the sand being reached the shaft was free from water. On the first shaft approaching the quicksand on 26 June, 1839, the bottom of the pit blew up like a blast, and a deluge of sand and water was thrown up and rose to a height of 100 ft.

1838, Feb 19 - Murton Colliery, East Pit, was commenced and put down from the surface to the Hutton Seam.

1840 - Commenced to sink the Murton Middle Pit.

1840, Jul 06 - Commenced to sink the West Pit, Murton Colliery, this shaft went down to the Hutton Seam, but was not finished until 17 February, 1847.

1867 - Sunk a staple from the Main Coal to the Hutton Seam at Murton Colliery.

1960, Jan 02 - Part of Hawthorn Combined Mine

1974 - Elemore colliery closed, 140 men transferred to Murton

1981 - Blackhall colliery closed, men transferred to Murton

1982 - South Hetton colliery closed, men transferred to Murton

Abbott, John S., 02 Apr 1941, aged 49, Bargain Man, killed by a fall of stone

Adamson, G., 14 Aug 1936, aged 14, Five-Quarter

Adamson, Joseph, 28 Sep 1928, (accident: 15 Sep 1928), aged 15, Run Rider, crushed

Allen, Thomas, 30 Jul 1851, aged 51, Rolleywayman, he was run over and killed in the Polka Pit - he had been repairing the rolley-way when he was hit by a train of rolleys, his attention having been diverted by a train travelling in the opposite direction

Ambler, H., 21 Jun 1955, Five-Quarter

Ambler, Robert, 08 Jan 1870, aged 15, Putter, crushed by tubs

Anderson, R., 01 Aug 1944, aged 18, Incline Man

Andrews, Frank, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 29, Stoneman, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Archbold, Isaac, 22 Apr 1876, aged 45, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Hetton

Armstrong, G., 01 Nov 1917, Low Main

Aynsley, F., 21 Feb 1903, Main Coal

Bacon, Thomas William, 23 Jan 1911, aged 14, Driver [More information ...]

Barker, Edward, 19 Dec 1882, aged 46, Labourer, crushed and killed between two trucks in the coke yard at Murton Colliery

Barlow, Robert, 18 May 1940, aged 29, Pipe Fiter, caught by set, found with an injury to his head, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Barnett, T., 08 Feb 1942, Brickworks

Barney, William, 06 Oct 1859, aged 72, Wasteman, crushed by tubs in self acting incline

Barron, Wheatley, 10 Jun 1900, aged 40, Deputy, Died to-day from alleged inhaling of gas in pit on March 29th last. At inquest there was no evidence of his having worked where gas was, and the medical evidence showed that he died from pneumonia set up by natural causes.

Bartlett, Arthur B., 01 Apr 1903, aged 13, Driver, when walking out-bye, on engine plane, he was caught by the empty set and killed [More information ...]

Bartlett, William, 02 Apr 1875, aged 70, Shifter, crushed by tub

Bate, Thomas Bennett, 25 Mar 1916, (accident: 23 Mar 1916), aged 54, Hewer, died on Saturday 25th March as a result of injuries received two days earlier while working in the East Pit ; some stone had come away from the roof and struck him on the head and arms; the cause of death was given as 'softening of the brain, septic infection of the bladder and kidneys, resulting from the accident'

Beamson, R., 23 Mar 1899, aged 58, Hewer, When in lamp cabin getting his lamp examined, he fell over and died from syncope.

Bell, Thomas, 04 Jun 1905, aged 51, Deputy, died suddenly of heart disease in the mine

Bennett, R., 18 Aug 1940, Aerial Flight

Besom, Matthew, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 16, killed in the 1848 explosion [More information ...]

Best, Robert, 31 Oct 1860, aged 17, Coupler, crushed by cage [More information ...]

Best, Thomas, 05 Sep 1868, aged 36, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Beveridge, John, 11 Apr 1893, aged 18, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Black, Jonathan, 02 Mar 1896, (accident: 14 Feb 1896), aged 48, Winding Engineman, While cleaning one of the engine-house windows he fell out a distance of 19 feet on to the branches. Died March 2nd

Blackmore, E., 23 Jun 1911, Main Coal

Blackmore, Harry, 14 Nov 1919, aged 67, fell down shaft, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Bloomfield, Richard, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 20, Miner, killed in the 1848 explosion, unmarried [More information ...]

Bowey, Thomas, 21 Apr 1891, 9:30 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 22, Hewer, fall of coal while hewing in a place he had no business to be in [More information ...]

Bray, John, 10 Dec 1894, 12:30 p.m., 7th hour of shift, aged 38, Hewer, Died from heart disease on main rolleyway, while on his way home from his work [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident]

Brigers, J., 23 Jun 1894, Main Coal

Brown, George, 17 Mar 1879, aged 27, Collier, fall of roof while nicking top coal through in a broken jud

Brown, Thomas, 20 Jan 1936, aged 39, Hewer, crushed by tubs, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Bryers, Thomas, 23 Jan 1894, 5:45 p.m., 2nd hour of shift, aged 34, Timber Drawer, Fall of stone while drawing a jud., Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Bullock, J., 21 May 1898, Main Coal

Bulmer, John, 03 Aug 1859, aged 22, Mason, killed by a fall of stone

Burdess, William, 23 Sep 1896, (accident: 21 Sep 1896), aged 19, Landing Lad, Crushed internally by empty tubs. When the empty set was going into the landing the first two tubs overran the tail-rope, and got off the way and caught him. Died on the 23rd [More information ...]

Burnip, Jonathan, 11 Nov 1924, (accident: 29 Oct 1924), aged 68, Traffic Manager, crushed between tubs and the wall side

Caddoe, Henry, 01 Dec 1866, aged 14, Driver, crushed by tubs in incline plane

Calvert, John, 21 Jan 1911, aged 55, Gatewayman, along with another man, he was engaged in building a soft wood chock near the face in a longwall gateway; whilst sawing wood a flag of ramble stone fell on to him, inflicting injuries from which he died the same night; the stone should either have been taken down or securely propped, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Canterdale, J., 08 Jul 1921, Belt engine

Carr, Henry, 08 Sep 1874, aged 44, Shaftman, he fell from loop while examining shaft

Carr, James, 29 Jan 1853, aged 25, he was crushed to death by a large stone which fell from the roof in the Polka Pit

Carton, J., 05 Jan 1939

Chapman, Robert, 29 Sep 1960, aged 23, killed in the Hutton seam (approximate date)

Charlton, Thomas, 23 Jun 1892, 9:30 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 22, Hewer, fall of top coal ; he had worked the fast sides, let it loose, and neglected to set props before going to work under it [More information ...]

Chisholm, Ralph, 19 Apr 1929, aged 60, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone [More information ...]

Clark, James, 23 Nov 1910, aged 17, Clerk, He was passing through an open space between two sets of full waggons, when the locomotive joined up against the other end of one set, and he was crushed between the buffers. The guard was standing near signalling to the driver with his lamp, it being nearly midnight, and did not see deceased

Clarke, Thomas, 31 Aug 1871, aged 35, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Collings, Isaac, 21 Oct 1929, aged 38, he committed suicide by jumping down the shaft; he was sitting with some other men waiting to descend, when he suddenly ran to the gate and deliberately threw himself into the shaft

Collins, John, 06 Sep 1924, (accident: 15 Aug 1924), aged 46, Stoneman, fractured spine

Collins, Thomas, 12 Nov 1915, aged 39, killed in the Low Main seam, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Connock, Emmanuel, 15 Aug 1919, aged 23, Assistant Banksman, he was caught by an ascending cage of full tubs and so severely crushed that he died shortly afterwards

Cook, William, 05 May 1865, Hewer, crushed by tubs in engine plane

Cook, William, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 53, Stoneman, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Coulson, George, 22 Dec 1891, (accident: 27 Nov 1891, 8:00 p.m., 7th hour of shift), aged 14, Driver, kicked in stomach by pony, inflammation of the bowels set in

Coulson, Thomas, 24 Apr 1891, 9:30 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 15, Landing Boy, while changing ropes at junction with a winch he gave a wrong signal, the engine started and the winch handle struck him on the head [More information ...]

Cowey, William, 13 Apr 1875, aged 49, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone

Cowley, George, 06 Sep 1893, 9:15 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 13, Driver, Head crushed between tub and prop.

Craggs, Thomas, 07 Nov 1894, 6:00 p.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 17, Landing Boy, Crushed by set getting of the way, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Crane, J., 26 Mar 1887, East Pit

Crombie, R., 23 Jun 1942, Five-Quarter

Crowther, J., 21 Dec 1900, Main Coal

Cruise, Charles Oliver, 05 Jun 1882, aged 14, Driver, fell before tubs in a landing while riding on chain contrary to orders and was run over and killed, his father (James) was killed in the same pit 5 years later, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Cruise, James, 17 Oct 1887, (accident: 18 Mar 1887), aged 46, Stoneman, burnt by powder; while forcing a powder charge into a hole with rammer it exploded,, son (Charles Oliver) was killed in the same pit 5 years previously, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Cummings, E. B., 19 Feb 1942, aged 30, Drawer, caught by tubs

Cummings, Thomas, 18 Apr 1906, (accident: 05 Apr 1906), aged 18, Runrider, He was found by the master shifter lying by the side of the rolleyway. He had evidently fallen off the chain of the rope on which, as run-rider, he would have been riding. His skull and arm were broken, and he died thirteen days after the accident.

Cummings, Thomas, 01 Sep 1917, aged 16, address: 16 St. Andrews Terrace, Hesledon, Murton Colliery

Currow, Philip Conn Edward, 09 Feb 1903, aged 21, Putter, when hewing in one of the working places, during the change of the hewers shifts, a stone fell from the roof and killed him, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Curry, J. T., 29 Jul 1940, aged 45, Belt Keeper, crushed between tubs

Daglish, Stodart, 16 Mar 1928, aged 48, Timber Drawer, killed by a fall of stone, address: 13 Albion Street, Murton, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Daglish, Vincent, 18 Dec 1961, aged 37, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Dale, George, 30 Jan 1905, (accident: 26 Jan 1905), aged 56, Waggonman, while trying to uncouple some waggons which were moving about three miles an hour he got his foot fast in the tongue of a switch and a wagon went over his leg [More information ...]

Daley, James, 05 Jun 1850, aged 24, while working in Slingley Hill Flat of the Middle Pit at Murton Colliery he was crushed to death by a large stone 6 feet square and 20 inches thick

Davidson, J., 20 May 1935, Low Main

Davidson, Robert, 26 Nov 1851, aged 12, he, in company with another lad, had got on top of the cage to ride up and down the staple in the Polka Pit, he fell backwards and was crushed to death between the cage and rail

Davison, Keith, Dec 1974, aged 20, killed by locomotives (approximate date and age)

Davison, Matthew Taylor, 06 Oct 1932, (accident: 15 Oct 1932), aged 49, died at Sunderland Royal Infirmary from septic infection resulting from multiple injuries received when a large stone fell on him

Davison, Thomas, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 31, Stoneman, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Davison, William Wild, 06 Feb 1939, aged 53, Deputy, struck on head, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Dawson, Ralph, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and four children [More information ...]

Dawson, Thomas, 18 Feb 1902, aged 18, Putter, riding out-bye on the full set, contrary to rules, the set got off the way and the main rope became detached ; the tubs then joined together and crushed these youths so severely that they afterwards died ; four other young men were at the same time severely injured, but they recovered [More information ...]

Dent, George, 13 Feb 1901, aged 36, Hewer, died in pit while following his employment from syncope; ventilation was all right

Dickerson, John, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 12, killed in the 1848 explosion [More information ...]

Dickinson, Martin, 21 Feb 1893, aged 33, Hewer, died from natural causes on the engine plane while going to his work [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident]

Dixon, T., 06 Apr 1925, aged 16, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Dobey, George, 16 Dec 1906, (accident: 06 Dec 1906), aged 63, Labourer, He dropped the padlock as he opened the Colliery Yard gate, and when looking on the ground for it, the gate was blown to and hit him on the head. He died on December 16th.

Dodds, George, 11 Jun 1875, aged 25, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Donninson, Richard, 29 Nov 1902, (accident: 15 Oct 1902), aged 46, Timber Drawer, he was replacing broken props and strengthening a place preparatory to drawing all the timber out and when putting in a new prop, a large stone fell without any warning and severely injured his back

Downing, Timothy, 11 Mar 1864, aged 39, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Duffy, Hugh, 22 Sep 1922, aged 17, Pony Putter, crushed between tub and roof

Duffy, J., 13 Dec 1918, Hewer, overcome by fumes from underground fire [More information ...]

Duffy, P., 06 Nov 1942

Dullard, P., Mar 1970, Five-Quarter North

Dunn, George, 05 Dec 1934, aged 64, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Easthaugh, William, 15 Aug 1916, Shifter, he had finished his shift and was ascending the shaft in the cage when he suddenly collapsed and died shortly after reaching the surface

Ellery, J., 02 Apr 1957

Elliot, William, 1980, aged 40, killed by face chain [approximate date and age]

Elliott, Bartholomew, 02 Jun 1931, aged 68, Timer Drawer, after finishing his shift he walked to the shaft and had almost reached the queue of men waiting to ride to bank when he dropped his lamp and fell dead. Death was due to heart disease brought on by rheumatic fever

Elliott, Edward Blackmore, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 39, Stoneman, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Elliott, W. E., 14 Feb 1933, (accident: 29 Jun 1932), aged 32, Scalloper, killed by a fall of stone

Ellison, George, 06 Dec 1906, (accident: 10 Nov 1906), aged 57, Shifter, The empty set got off the way in a loading, and drew out some timber. He was sent to repair the place, and, whilst doing so, some more stone fell and caused severe injuries to him. He died December 6th.

Elwick, Vincent C., 20 Nov 1944, aged 36, Loader, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Emery, George Wilson, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 43, Filler, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Emery, John Head, 01 Jun 1960, aged 47, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Emery, Lancelot, 10 Jun 1885, aged 22, Hewer, fall of top coal which he had nicked through and not spragged

Fairs, Joseph, 01 Apr 1925, aged 25, Joiners Labourer, severe internal injuries through being struck by a set of timber legs which fell while being hoisted - accidental death [Inquest: 02 Apr 1925], Buried: Mere Knolls Cemetery, Sunderland

Farelly, John, 13 Nov 1907, aged 42, Coke-filler, caught between a coke truck and a chaldron waggon and fatally crushed

Feeley, Robert, 27 Mar 1895, 9:00 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 21, Hewer, fall of stone in working place

Fenwick, Henry Hall, 24 Sep 1936, aged 24, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Ferguson, J., 25 Nov 1889, Branches

Finn, Lawrence, 08 Dec 1888, (accident: 20 Sep 1888), aged 23, Hewer, severe blow on the chest by a large prop falling on him

Fisher, George, 12 Mar 1878, aged 29, Collier, fall of a large stone from between two slips in the rook, in broken workings, it crushed out the timer in falling

Foggerty, James, 29 Dec 1931, aged 45, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Foley, Thomas, 26 Apr 1862, aged 12, Door Keeper, knocked down by horse when opening his door

Foster, C., 04 Aug 1943, (accident: 02 Aug 1932), aged 57, Scalloper, killed by a fall of stone

Fox, J. D. B., 18 Sep 1925, (accident: 12 Sep 1925), aged 37, Stoneman, fall

Franklin, John, 08 May 1873, aged 15, Putter, head crushed between tub and prop

Gallagher, Matthew, 20 Sep 1900, aged 37, Hewer, Crushed chest and blow on scalp caused by a fall of coal. [More information ...]

Gannon, A., 02 Aug 1899, Branches

Garrett, Joseph, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 50, Filler, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Gee, Joseph, 14 Mar 1937, (accident: 22 Feb 1937), aged 40, Cutter, died from injuries received

Gibson, I., 11 Jul 1939, Time Office

Gilroy, Samuel, 24 Nov 1892, 3:45 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 29, Timber Drawer, engaged drawing timber out of a broken jud, when a heavy fall of roof took place, killing them both on the spot, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Gladstone, Thomas, 27 Dec 1858, aged 42, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Goad, Thomas, 14 May 1880, (accident: 13 May 1880), aged 47, Collier, severely injured by engine set of tubs in landing

Gorton, Richard, 26 Jan 1899, aged 65, Wasteman, While travelling on the engine-plane to his work he fell down and died from heart disease. [fatality reported during the year but not classified as a colliery accident]

Graham, John, 30 Sep 1870, aged 12, Driver, horse fell on him

Graham, William, 05 Apr 1848, aged 21, died after a fight [More information ...]

Gray, G., 17 Apr 1929, (accident: 16 Apr 1929), aged 44, Scalloper, fall

Gray, George, 21 May 1906, aged 19, Staple-brake Lad, He was struck by the brake-lever due to a loosening of a segment of the brake-cleading and killed instantly.

Gray, Leslie, 18 Jun 1988, aged 37, Fitter, he was killed while he and others were trying to free a blockage in a staple that was used as a bunker. They had been trying to unblock it with water from above and failed. When the blockage was eventually released from below the outrush of slurry and water somehow killed him, it is believed that he died as a result of his injuries in hospital some time later, Buried: Hetton-le-Hole Cemetery

Gray, Robert, 23 Aug 1915, aged 14, Driver, He was coming out-bye form the 4th Welsh Way of the Main Coal seam with a full set of tubs when his head and shoulders were caught between one of the tubs and a prop. His neck was dislocated and he died instantly.

Gray, Wilfred, 06 Jun 1946, aged 47, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Grieves, Anthony, 12 Aug 1880, aged 28, Collier, heavy fall of stone while working in a broken jud

Grieves, George, 26 Aug 1927, aged 41, accident on pit heap - buried under falling debris, died in Sunderland Royal Infirmary

Grieveson, Nicholas, 24 Aug 1900, aged 71, Wasteman, Alleged to have strained himself when pulling a tram with timber on it. Post-mortem examination showed he died from double broncho-pneumonia, and that he had not received any injury.

Grogan, Joseph, 26 Nov 1955, aged 57, a number of tubs became detached as they were being hauled to the pit bottom and ran backwards down the tramway, the deceased and another man were walking up the tramway and he pushed the other man into the refuge hole but was unable to get in himself and subsequently his lower body was crushed between the tub and the wall

Haddick, Edward, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 12, killed in the 1848 explosion, young boy [More information ...]

Hailes, R., 24 Jul 1935, aged 51, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone

Hall, James, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 40, Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and several children [More information ...]

Hall, John, 23 Dec 1924, aged 35, Banksman, caught by lever

Hall, Johnson, 09 Jun 1857, he and two other men were at work жwidening a place intended to be the station of a drawing engineЖ, when a large stone fell from the side of the roof and crushed him to death

Hall, R. E., 12 May 1929, (accident: 16 Apr 1929), aged 40, Scalloper, fall

Hall, Thomas, 10 Aug 1864, aged 76, Wasteman, crushed by tubs in engine plane

Hall, William, 18 Nov 1855, (accident: 17 Nov 1855), Horse Driver, he was knocked down and run over while crossing a self-acting incline plane in the Polka Pit at the time a set of tubs was descending it, he died the following day

Hall, William (jnr), 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, married [More information ...]

Hardwick, Edward, 16 Feb 1926, aged 50, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Hardy, John, 11 Mar 1872, aged 16, Water Leader, run over by tubs

Harper, R., 05 Feb 1928, East Pit Engine

Hart, Edward, 26 Apr 1893, 11:00 a.m., 5th hour of shift, aged 12, Trapper, Took away a driver's tub and pony, which he had no right to do, and got his head crushed between the top of tub and roof. [More information ...]

Hart, R., 26 Feb 1893, Main Coal

Haswell, John, 24 Sep 1896, aged 41, Hewer, He was looking along the loose end of a skirting to see how much coal remained to he taken out, when a fall of stone took place in the goaf and caught him

Heaton, Henry, 13 Dec 1923, (accident: 21 Nov 1923), aged 49, Hewer, crushed

Hensley, Frederick George, 11 Feb 1903, (accident: 03 Feb 1903), aged 57, Hewer, hewing in a well-timbered jud, when a fall occurred at a slip and feather edge, and caused such injuries that he died on the 11th, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Heslop, J. B., 02 Jun 1924, aged 59, Shaftman, fall of debris

Hills, George, 11 Oct 1909, (accident: 06 Oct 1906), aged 37, Bricklayer, when building a chimney, part of the cornice fell and broke the scaffold on which he was standing; he fell 26 feet to the ground, and was injured internally; he died five days afterwards in hospital

Hocking, Henry W., 03 Oct 1922, aged 16, Coal Scraper, killed by a fall of coal and ramble

Hollis, William, 19 Dec 1894, (accident: 28 Nov 1894, 1:00 p.m., 9th hour of shift), aged 17, Landing Lad, Severe injury to head by winch handle while coupling ropes. Died 19th December [More information ...]

Howcroft, William, 15 Jul 1886, aged 49

Hudson, Cyril, 23 Jan 1943, aged 18, Buried: Easington Lane Cemetery

Hudson, H., 02 Aug 1897, Branches

Humphrey, Joseph R., 13 Oct 1905, aged 15, Rope Guider, whilst sitting at the pit bottom waiting to ride, a stone from the roof fell and killed him instantly; the place had been examined previously and was considered safe

Hunt, Stan, 13 Dec 1918, Overman, overcome by fumes from underground fire [More information ...]

Hunter, J., 14 May 1945, Five-Quarter

Hunter, John, 16 Jan 1854, aged 23, he had gone to oil a wheel, and when the engine was suddenly set in motion, he was crushed between the wheel and a balk of timber

Hustler, John, 22 Nov 1858, aged 46, Deputy, fall of stone while drawing timber

Hutton, Thomas, 30 Nov 1858, aged 40, he was killed in the East Pit by a large stone falling on him as he was removing a judd

James, M., 30 Jun 1964

Jarvis, J., 26 Dec 1906, Main Coal

Jeffries, George, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 39, Cutter, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Jeffries, William, 11 Jul 1907, (accident: 11 Dec 1906), aged 49, Hewer, he strained himself by falling down on a waggonway and died 11th July 1907

Jobling, J., 10 Jan 1941, aged 58, Waggonway Man, caught by trucks

Jobling, William, 26 May 1896, aged 39, Hewer, Died in his working place from heart disease

Johnson, James, 15 Dec 1912, (accident: 11 Dec 1912), aged 32, Stoneman, deceased and another stoneman were ridding an old rolleyway which was extensively fallen and were engaged in setting timber, above which was a quantity of loose stone; a few feet above the lofting a large stone had partly broken away from the side so that its outbye end was resting on the loose stone; this stone was known to be unsafe and the men were as far as possible keeping under the protecting timber; whilst they were setting a runner, however, the stone fell on to the lofting, smashing it, and thence on to deceased causing injuries from which he died on December 15

Johnson, William, 01 Jan 1924, (accident: 31 Dec 1923), aged 17, Engineman, caught by tubs, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Jones, Edward Henry, 20 Nov 1889, aged 19, Putter, head crushed between top of tub and a balk while riding on limbers contrary to orders, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton

Jones, Joseph, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 66, Hewer, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and six children [More information ...]

Jones, Walter David, 15 May 1958, aged 59, Buried: Murton Cemetery

Kearnen, Michael, 24 Mar 1843, aged 24, Sinker, was working with several other men at the bottom of Murton New Winning sinking shaft on 24 March, when a quantity of stones fell from the side of the pit and struck him on the head. He was taken home and died four hours later; he had suffered a fractured skull

Kennedy, G., 18 Aug 1902, Low Main

Kennedy, James, 29 Dec 1931, aged 49, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Kennedy, Richard, 10 Jan 1862, aged 58, Hewer, crushed by tubs in engine plane - trying to get upon them when in motion

Kennedy, Robert, 24 Nov 1892, 3:45 a.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 45, Timber Drawer, engaged drawing timber out of a broken jud, when a heavy fall of roof took place, killing them both on the spot, his grandson (James Kennedy) was killed in the same pit 10 years later, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Kennett, James, 02 Nov 1910, aged 28, Hewer, Whilst walking inbye he was overtaken by the empty set in the landing, and was found partly in and partly out of a refuge hole by another hewer who followed him inbye. The landing was provided with refuge holes 10 yards apart, but there was not room to stand between the tubs and the side of the road. It was his sixth shift at the colliery, and not being accustomed to main and tail rope haulage probably did not realise that the set was close upon him until too late to take refuge

Kirton, John, 01 Dec 1857, he was walking up the Queen Mary incline in the Polka Pit at the same time that a set of tubs was descending. He was run over and killed

Knowles, Archibald, 26 Oct 1872, Fireman, run over by a locomotive

Knowles, H., 03 Apr 1914, East Pit

Knox, William, 01 Sep 1893, 1:05 p.m., 4th hour of shift, aged 38, Joiner, While engaged erecting a coal washer he fell off a staging, 20 feet high, causing concussion of the brain, from which he shortly afterwards died., Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, South Hetton

Laidler, James, 01 Apr 1876, aged 37, Plumber, suffocated by coal gas while repairing a gas pipe at bank with full pressure of gas on from works

Lashley, Adam, 26 Jun 1942, 8:00 p.m., aged 49, Filler, killed in the 1942 explosion (ignition caused by incendive spark created by exploder while shots were fired), explosion, Buried: Murton Cemetery [More information ...]

Lavis, Thomas, 18 Jul 1901, aged 22, Assistant Rolleywayman, killed on engine plane by being caught by engine set, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton [More information ...]

Laws, George, 29 Jul 1864, aged 63, Deputy, fall of stone, drawing timber

Lawson, Thomas, 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 41, Miner, killed in the 1848 explosion, wife and eight children [More information ...]

Lawson, Thomas (jnr), 15 Aug 1848, 12:30 p.m., aged 21, killed in the 1848 explosion, unmarried, son of Thomas Lawson [More information ...]

Linsley, Henry, 07 Oct 1905, aged 37, Blacksmith, alleged to have overstrained himself at work; Coroner's jury found that death was due to cancer, and was not accelerated by any strain or injury