Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 12 July 1929

Killed By Haulage

Unexplained Accident at Kilnhurst

Found Under “Tub”

How James Preston (24) haulage hand, of 7, Charles Street, Kilnhurst, met his death in the Thrybergh Hall Colliery last Thursday, was the subject of an inquiry by Mr. J. Kenyon Parker on Saturday.

Mr. Kenyon Parker was assisted by a jury, and there were also present Mi. H. J. Humphreys, H.M. Inspector of Mines. Mr. W. Barr, manager and Mr. W. Hewitson, secretary of Kilnhurst branch of the Y.M.A.

Leyburn Luke Preston, Miner, of Hooton Road, Kilnhurst, said he was Preston’s brother. Deceased had worked in a colliery for ten years. He last saw him alive on June 30th, when he appeared quite well.

Clarence Wm. Taylor, haulage hand, Victoria Street, Kilnhurst, said he and Preston worked together on the morning shift on Thursday. As far as witness knew, he was the last person to see Preston alive. That was at 8-15 a.m., when Preston went to his job in the Hooton Level. That morning witness was driving a compressed air engine, and about 8-30 be lowered a train of 13 empty tubs and two “skellies” filled with timber. When they were half-way down the plane, witness felt the weight go of the rope. The tubs had been going down steadily, and immediately he noticed the tension go off the stopped his engine and went to find out what was wrong .

“I reached the back-end of the tubs, but could not get through to the front because the road was too narrow. I went back to the engine house, passing a boy named Licence on the way, and about minutes later I got a sign a l to “pull back.” which I obeyed. I drew the train up to its starting point, and then went back to where they had first stopped, and saw Preston lying in the road.”

In answer to the Coroner, Taylor said he could not say how the accident happened. The time would be about 8.45.

The Coroner: Don’t you know what happened to the man?—No, sir.

Were you told that he was found under a tub?—Yes, sir.

Mr. Humphreys: When you were lowering this set, was there anything to make it go off the road?—No. We were going down gently.

Did you notice anything about the rope? – Yes, after it stopped it was tight. I thought something was off the road.

Mr. Barr: How many trains had you lowered that morning?—Three before this one.

In answer to Mr. Hewitson, Taylor said that that was Preston’s first train that morning. He had only just gone to the job, but had had a great amount of experience in the work.

Fred Bramhall deputy, 16, Stuart Road, Rawmarsh, said he had worked 38 years in collieries, and had been in charge of the Hooton district at Thrybergh Hall Colliery for 10 years. He saw Preston about 90 minutes before the accident, when he sent Preston on the haulage in Hooton plane. About 9-45 witness went to the place where the accident occurred to enquire why the run was late. Nearing the place, he saw Preston’s lamp alight, and shouted to Preston. He could see clearly, and he received no answer to his call. Passing the lamp, be came to the tube and found Preston underneath the second one. None of the tubs were off the rails, and the one on Preston contained timber. “Preston was practically sat double under the tub with the axle of the tub on the back of his neck. Some of the weight of the run would be on him.” They liberated Preston within three minutes, but found he was dead,

“No one saw the accident,” added Bramhall, “and the only opinion I can give is that one of the tubs came off the road and he was lifting it back when the others came down and pulled him under.” The road was in good order and free from obstruction. Witness had known Preston since he started at the colliery, and had found him to be one of the best, honest lads working there.

The Coroner: Is there anyone to throw more light on this accident than Taylor and you?—No, sir, and I cannot say how long he had been there.

Mr. Humphreys: Assuming your theory of how the accident happened is correct, it was his job to throw tubs back on the road?- Yes, sir.

In the ordinary way there is no danger when throwing the tubs back? —No, sir.

Mr. Hewitson: Do you think he was overeager?—Well, yes.

Taylor was recalled and asked if he received any signals after starting until you ordered to “pull back.” and answered “No.”

P.c. Watson mid he examined Preston and found that a hip was dislocated, and that there was a fracture at the base of the skull.

The Coroner said there was no evidence to show how Preston met his death, and asked that the verdict be “Found accidentally killed with no evidence to show how the accident happened.”

The jury found a verdict in accordance.