| Date: | 13th December 1905 |
| Colliery: | Walbottle |
| Cause: | (See description below) |
| Lives Lost: | 1 |
Richard Parkin died on 22nd March, 1906. The coal here lying on the north side of the "90-fathom" dyke is highly inclined and the accident occurred on a self-acting incline in the seam 80 yards in length having a gradient of 7½ inches per yard. Double way is laid nearly to the foot and the full tubs in sets of four are always run on the same side. Near the foot is first a wood door and then two canvas sheets. On the full side at the top there is first a wood chock and 8 feet 9 inches below a middle way safety chock consisting of an iron bar working on an axle, one end of which projects between the line of rails and catches the tub axles unless pinned down, which operation should be performed after the wood chock is knocked out and it is clear all is coupled; after the set passes the pin should be removed. The lad at the top was about to place two full tubs in position to make up a set when he found one of the wheels of the first tub had a broken cod, he therefore placed it second but forgot to couple it to the first, which was a tub loaded with sagre. Two more full tubs were brought forward and coupled to the second tub, and after receiving the necessary signal the wood chock was knocked out and the first tub ran amain, and probably owing to the doors already mentioned deadening the sound deceased, who attended to the incline foot, was caught by it and killed, hewer who was near fatally injured. The lad at the top stated the safety chock was not pinned down and that the tub had jumped it, but Mr. Nicholson from a test he made came to the conclusion that this could not have occurred, and there is strong probability that it was pinned down. The chock was found uninjured and in good working order after the accident. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and the Local Inspectors reported "in our opinion we believe it to be a pure accident."
| Source: | 1905 Mines Inspectors Report (Cd 2910) |
| | Higgins, William, aged 16, Incline Attendant |
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