Fatal Colliery Accident at Killamarsh
On 6th January, 1858, about 7 o'clock, a rope broke at the Killamarsh Colliery, near Eckington, belonging to Turner and Co., and killed four men who were descending the shaft. Four sets of men, of four each set, had previously descended, and the deceased men lowered about ten yards down when the accident occurred.
On 7th January an inquest was held before Mr. Busby, coroner; Mr. Hedley, the Government Inspector, was present, and subjected the witness to a strict examination as to the state of the rope, and their knowledge of the attention to the colliery rules.
The rules direct that before any person descends or ascends in a morning the engineman and banksman must "run the loaded cages twice slowly up and down the pit, in order to test and examine rope."
It appears that the rope was run up and down without any weight on them.
A fire which occurred close to the rope drum, scorched the rope for more than a yard in length, and at this place it broke off short. Had the proper test of running the loaded cages twice up and down been done, there is no doubt the rope would have broken before any person was lowered into the pit, for it broke with less than half the weight upon it.
The names of the sufferers are Francis Senior, John Senior, and William. Senior, three brothers, and Richard Turton.
A verdict of "Manslaughter" was returned against William Truswell, the engineman, and George Twigg, the banksman, who were committed for trial.
We trust that this will be a warning to all parties connected with colliers and induce them to see that their rules are strictly attended to. Had they been so in this case no doubt the lives of the poor men would have been spared?
Source:Sheffield Times
