ELSWICK COLLIERY FATALITY.

INQUEST RESUMED.

Mr. J. R. D. Lynn, coroner for South Northumberland, resumed the adjourned inquest as to the deaths of Thomas Watson and Robt. Hankinson, two miners, who met their deaths by an inrush of water at the South Elswick Colliery, on 4th May last. H.M. Inspector of Mines (Mr. J. L. Hedley) was present.

Robt. Simpson Anderson, manager of the colliery, produced the plan of the workings of the Stevenson district of the colliery, in which the accident occurred.

William Thompson, a coal hewer, stated that he was beside Watson at the time of the accident, which occurred in the Beaumont Seam at 5.30 a.m. They heard a noise, and witness going to see what was the matter met a rush of water. They then went away together, and as soon as they reached the water, which was up to their knees, their lamps went out. They continued on along the roadway until the water reached the roof. Witness then made a rush for it, and diving under the water, came out at the flat, where he could stand up with the water up to his waist. So far as he was aware, Watson had not followed. At the time of the inrush the deceased was hewing coal, witness being at his place for the loan of his drilling gear. On reaching the flat, he went on until he reached the deputy, George Dunbar, and reported to him where he had left Watson. Witness knew that the way they were working they were approaching a district where there was water. There was water that morning in the headway, which he had never noticed before.

By the Inspector: He had not reported his discovery to any official because he had not an opportunity. He did not think there was any danger. It was only his second day in that particular district.

James Watson, brother of deceased, gave evidence. Witness was in the back-shift, deceased in the fore-shift. They both worked in the same place. He knew, and so did the deceased, that they were working from a watery district. The accumulated water was at a higher level than they were working, there being a difference of about 18 feet. He noticed the water going into his place. He had a suspicion of danger, and before his brother went to work he gave him warning. Deceased seemed to ridicule the idea. Witness also informed Mr. Hall the under-manager, that water was coming down where they were working. Along with Mr. Hall, the overman was in Watson's place during his shift, and they saw the water. He offered to go in and get the gear out but his brother said he would go down and work a shift. About a month previous to the accident he was working at the west or higher side of the flat, but did not then think that he was so near the old workings. He did not know where the water came from, but suspected, as did every man of the colliery, that it came from the old workings.

William Tennent stated that on 4th May he was working in the next place to Robt. Hankinson. On the morning of that day, between 6 and 6.30, he heard a noise. Witness stopped working, and when a coal hewer called to him he went from the bottom of the bord to the back headway. He never saw Hankinson. With two men he faced the water all the way, and in the back headway the water was about a foot off the roof. They thought Hankinson was just behind, but when they got to a place of safety they missed him. He was satisfied then that deceased had not got through. There were no signs of water in the bord that he was in. Hankinson had apparently not known the road.

James Crawford stated that he heard a report as of a shot being fired. He went on to the back headway and saw the water. They all faced the water, witness leading the way. They had one lamp amongst them. They never missed Hankinson until they reached safety. Deceased must either have taken the wrong turn or fallen.

George Dunbar stated that he found the body of Watson on 1st June. He was lying in the fifth north headway. There were no marks about the body. He was also present when the body of Hankinson was found on the 3rd of June. The body was floating. He was the deputy in charge of the district where the accident occurred. He visited the places of both the deceased men between two and four o'clock on the morning of the accident. There were no signs of any extra water. On 1st May three places were stopped in the ordinary course of working. On 3rd May there was a little water coming from the side, but not of sufficient importance to warn the men of any danger. He could not say where the water came in. He was never given any special instructions as to water, nor had he received any report as to its accumulation.

INQUEST AND VERDICT.

The inquest into the causes of the death of Robt. Hankinson and Thos. Watson, who lost their lives in South Elswick Colliery was resumed and concluded at Benwell yesterday afternoon.

The evidence showed that the inrush of water, which led to the death of the men, came from workings which were unknown.

It was agreed that the sudden inrush of water on 4th May caused the men's death, and the jury were unanimously of opinion that there was not the slighest reflection upon the management.