Mexborough and Swinton Times July 27, 1928

Swinton Youth Killed.
Unexplained Accident at Thrybergh Hall Colliery
Derailed Tubs.

No evidence to show how the two tubs that killed Norman Utley (17), a rope runner, of 27, White Lee Road, Swinton, became uncoupled from a run of five on an incline in the Thrybergh Hail Colliery, on Tuesday, was forthcoming at the inquest held by Mr. J. Kenyon Parker and a jury at the Swinton Library on Wednesday. The Coroner directed the jury in their finding that Utley met his death accidentally. There were two theories as to how the accident happened, a deputy stating that a fall of dirt on the metals would uncouple the tubs and a miner said that a “catch” in the road had jolted them apart.

Mr. William Barr represented the Colliery Company, Mr. Harry Johnson the Y.M.A. and H.M. Inspector (Mr. H. S. Scott) was also present

Fred Utley, grandfather of the deceased, a chemical worker, said that this grandson had been at Thrybergh Hall Colliery for about a week, but had worked at various pits for about three years.

Fred Bramwell, of Rawmarsh, a deputy at Thrybergh Hall Colliery, said that Utley commenced at the pit as rope-runner the previous Wednesday. Deceased was working on the day shift on Tuesday, and witness saw him working at about 10.30. At 12.30 witness was informed of the accident, and going to the spot found Utley nearly dead.

In his opinion, deceased had sustained a fracture of the base of the skull. He died in the pit. From what witness had gathered, Utley was at the rope with five empty tubs, a man named Glossop at the back of the run and Utley to the front, went to tools that were going to be separated from the rest came loose and struck deceased. He thought that Utley knew his work well.

In reply to Mr. Scott, witness said neither Utley nor Glossop would couple the tubs. The road seemed in order, and the remaining tubs were off the rope. He did not know whether the tubs were double-coupled. Some dirt might have fallen on the road, thus derailing the tubs. Mr. Scott suggested that a safety chain over the tubs would have prevented the accident.

Mr. Barr asked if the witness made any special inspection of the road and he replied that he thought there was enough dirt on it to cause the accident. Utley had seemed an alert youth.

Albert Edward Glossop Sandhill, Rawmarsh, a trammer, said that he was working with Utley and saw him go down with five empties on the rope at a fairly slow pace, Witness was at the back and Utley was at the front. Two ‘tubs came uncoupled and. went down the bill “like a shot from a gun.” Witness saw Utley’s lamp drop as the tub hit him and found him lying injured on the track. There was a “catch” in the rails, one being higher than the other, that might have derailed the tubs.

Mr. Bar: asked how many tubs had gone over that section of the line during the shift, and Glosf3op replied that about 20 had passed.

John William Ward, of Rawmarsh, said that he found Utley lying face downwards on the track and the two tubs were lower down the incline.

The coroner said there was not sufficient evidence to show as the tubs came uncoupled, and a verdict was returned as stated.