Newspaper Transcription MM16

1917, 28th November

WILLIAM PATERSON

COLLIERY FATALITY AT KIRKCONNEL

On Wednesday forenoon an unfortunate accident occurred in No. 1 Fauldhead Colliery, whereby two miners were injured. William Paterson (38), who resides at 2 Marne Street, Kellobank, was so seriously hurt that he had to be removed to Dumfries Infirmary, where he died next morning. He sustained internal injuries, a compound fracture of one leg, a simple fracture of the other, besides injuries to his arms and back. The other man, John McCreadie (19), who resides with Mr Wm. Wilson, 25 Riverside Terrace, had a miraculous escape. He was bruised about the face, arms and chest, but was able to proceed to his home. The accident occurred in a section known as Magarigle's Donk. This is worked on what is termed a "cuddy brae." The drawers take their loaded hutches down the incline fastened to a wire rope, and this is balanced by a hutch loaded with stones coming up the opposite side. Each drawer accompanies his hutch. Paterson had been going down with his hutch in the usual way when another drawer brought out a hutch and left it on the braehead to await his turn to go down. A third drawer, John McCeadie, brought out a hutch, and his came in contact with the one that was sitting, knocking it over the brae. McCreadie held on to his hutch, and afterwards left it and caught hold of the one in front as he knew Paterson was not clear at the foot. He gallantly held on, trying to stop it; but his own hutch also came on and knocked him down and went over the top of him. Meanwhile the other hutch rushed on, and it appears that it came into violent contact with Paterson, who when found was jammed between the hutch and the coal wall. On being extricated it was found that he was seriously injured, as above stated. He was promptly taken to the surface, and Dr Edgar ordered his removal to Dumfries Infirmary. But as already stated his injuries have proved fatal. He leaves a widow and small family, to whom the sympathy of the community goes out.

Dumfries & Galloway - MM16

FATAL ACCIDENTS INQUIRY.

Sheriff Campion held an inquiry at Dumfries on Friday relative to the deaths of William Paterson, miner, 2 Marne Street, Kellobank, Kirkconnel, who died in Dumfries Infirmary from injuries received while following his employment at No. 1 Fauldhead, Colliery, owned by the Sanquhar and Kirkconnel Collieries, Ltd, on 28th November; Jonathan Leah, munition worker, Newfoundland House, Eastriggs; and Joseph Kirkham Farnworth, fitter, 38 Dunedin Road, Eastriggs, both employed at H.M. Factory, Dornock, who also died in the same Institution from injuries received while at work.
The following jury were, empanelled: Mr John Rogerson, spirit merchant, St David Street; Mr George Mogerley, pork butcher, Friars' Vennel; Mr Robert Davidson, photographer, English Street; Mr John Dickson, grocer, Montague Street; Mr John W. Frazer, tailor, St Michael Street; Mr James Bendall, tinsmith, Whitesands; Mr Wm. J. Fraser, plumber, St David Street.
In the course of his employment at No. 1 Fauldhead Colliery, about ten o'clock on the morning of 28th November, Paterson was taking a hutch loaded with coal down a cuddy brae, and when partly down the brae he was overtaken by a runaway hutch loaded with coal. Paterson's legs were jammed, a compound comminated fracture of both legs being sustained, from the effects of which he died in the Royal Infirmary the following morning.
The Jury returned a formal verdict in accordance with the evidence. Dean Mogerley, one of the jurymen, said the jury wished to suggest that some better method of fixing the block at the braehead might be devised.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard Standard 01/12/1917 / S / 2 / D - MM16