Mexborough and Swinton Times September 28, 1928

Killed By Fall.
Rawmarsh Man’s Fate at Kilnhurst Colliery.
A Pure Accident.

A verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned. at an inquest at Rawmarsh on Saturday morning, conducted by the Sheffield District Coroner (Mr. J. Kenyon Parker), relative to the death of Arthur Edward Gregory (27), a trammer, of 23, Brunt Road, Sandhill, Rawmarsh, who was killed by a fall of roof at Thrybergh Hall Colliery, Kilnburst, at 9-15 a.m. on Thursday, September ‘0th.

Mr. R. E. Hall, H.M. Inspector of Mines Mr. W. Barr, manager of the colliery; and Mr. Hewitson, of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, were present.

Evidence of identification was given by Thomas Gregory, a banksman, of 5, Brunt Road, Sandhill, Rawmarsh, the father of the deceased. His son had worked in the pit for thirteen years. Witness was working at the Thrybergh Hall Colliery at the time his son was killed, but in another part of the workings.

John Benjamin White, a miner, of 94, Milton Avenue, Swinton, said that he was assisting Gregory with the tubs. Witness left Gregory and later heard a crash. Witness shouted to the men on the other side of the fall and in two minutes he was got out. He was dead when got out. Witness could not see Gregory after the fall and could not say whether it completely buried him. Witness thought that it was an accident and no one was to blame. It was caused through a slip or parting in the roof.

Benjamin Clifford, a deputy, 24, Stewarts Road, Rawmarsh, said that when he arrived on the scene of the fall Gregory had been got out. He was then dead. Witness had visited the place two hours before the accident and the roof was then in a safe condition. Witness estimated the weight of the fall at 15 hundredweights. The fall removed a bar from the road. There was a suggestion that the bar supporting the roof had been knocked over by passing tubs, but this witness said that none of the tubs had caught the bar.

Mr. Barr asked the witness whether the accident would have been averted, had the props been closer together, and the reply was that the accident would have happened with additional props.

Horace Tuxford a ropeman, of 19, Brunt. Road, Sandhill, Rawmarsh, gave evidence of the fall, adding that in his opinion it was a pure accident.

The jury returned a verdict as stated.