Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	19th April 1898
Colliery:	West Auckland
Cause:	Underground Haulage Accident
Lives Lost:	1

No. 183 on the list occurred at West Auckland Colliery, belonging to Messrs. Bolckow, Vaughan, & Co., Ltd., on April 19th, causing the death of a stoneman.

This accident happened on the engine plane as deceased was going in-bye to his work. On his way in he met the full set of tubs coming out-bye and was caught by them, and so severely injured that he died the same day. Some men were in front of him and they got into a refuge hole to let the set pass, but he went on, his mind evidently being occupied with something else, and met the set.

As I have in previous reports pointed out it is most unwise for men to run risks when travelling on engine and inclined planes when sets are running. To get into a refuge hole in good time and stay there until they have passed is the safest and wisest plan to adopt.

The refuge holes, in this case, were provided at the distance the Coal Mines Act specifies.

Source:

1898 Mines Inspectors Report (C 9264), Durham District (No. 4) by R. D. Bain, H.M. Inspector of Mines, from a copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian.

	Fairs, Joseph Christopher, aged 54, Stoneman, when travelling to his work on the engine plane, he was caught by the full set coming out, and so severely injured, that he died about seven and a half hours afterwards
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