Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	24th November 1892
Colliery:	Murton
Cause:	(See description below)
Lives Lost:	2

No. 38 on the list occurred at Murton Colliery, belonging to the South Hetton Coal Company, Limited, on the 24th of November, about 3.45 a.m., causing the death of two timber drawers named Robert Kennedy and Samuel Gilroy respectively.

They were engaged drawing a jud, in the Hutton seam, and while doing so a large stone, measuring 19 feet long by 4 feet wide by 18 inches thick, suddenly fell and killed them both. There was a slip at each side running the whole length of the stone, and it was also loose at the opposite, or goaf end. It had, no doubt, previous to this been kept up by the props set under it, and as soon as they were removed, the stone fell.

It is difficult to say whether or not this accident could have been prevented, but I think the deceased men should have set some props to protect themselves as they came out-bye. It was a large stone, and probably could not have been kept up until they were clear, but had props been set under it as they came back there was the chance of it not coming down so suddenly. It would fall without any warning, and there would be no chance of escape. I understand both men were careful and well experienced timber drawers. It is a hazardous occupation, and too much care cannot be exercised while following it.

Source:

1892 Mines Inspectors Report (C 6986), Durham District (No. 4) by Thomas Bell, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian.

	Gilroy, Samuel, 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
	Kennedy, Robert, 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
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