Disasters - Names		Disasters - Names

Date:	14th November 1919
Colliery:	Murton
Cause:	Fell from cage
Lives Lost:	1

At Murton Colliery, County Durham, a shaftman who was nearly 70 years of age, lost his life by falling off the top of the cage while engaged cleaning out a water ring. The cage was only a small one with a flat iron top having a small ridge on all sides to prevent anyone from slipping off. Fence chains were fixed between the bridle chains on the two longer sides of the cage, and the ends were free excepting for a middle brattice in the shaft which largely protected one end and there were wooden conductors at each end. The man's companion heard a noise and on turning round saw the shaftman's legs disappearing over the outer side of the cage. Considering the man's age, it is probable that he had a seizure of some kind and fell backwards off the cage. Safety belts were provided for the shaftmen but they had not taken them out of the cabin. Men seem to have a dislike for these safety appliances and prefer to run risks rather than use them. Their use in the future will very properly be insisted upon.

Source:

1919 Mines Inspectors Report (Cmd 925)

	Blackmore, Harry, aged 67, fell down shaft, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Murton
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