Newspaper Transcription MM27

1927, 10th December

PETER EARLE

KIRKCONNEL PIT FATALITY.

Miner Crushed by Falling Roof.

A distressing fatality occurred in No. 3 Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel, on Saturday morning about 7.30, resulting in the death of Peter Earle repairer, who resided at Kingsway, Kellobank. Earle was recognised as a most careful and efficient workman, in consequence of which fact he was employed as a repairer. He was in the act of preparing a place, and was laying down a platform when suddenly a large stone crushed from the roof without warning and part of it caught the unfortunate man, who was killed instantaneously, his neck being broken. The stone weighed almost three tons. It was one of those deceptive roofs which sound safe, but large parts, known among miners as "pot-lids” suddenly break away without warning, and it was one of these that fell on Earle.
Deceased was 50 years of age, and had worked in Kirkconnel for many years. He was a widower with one daughter, who kept house for him, and to her the sympathy of the district is extended.
Mr Earle was of a quiet and retired disposition, but was held in tho highest esteem among his fellow workers.
About the same time as the accident, in another section of No. 3 pit, Adam Lorimer, miner, who resides at Kellobank, was injured about the legs through being jammed between hutches. Fortunately his injuries are not of a serious nature. Another miner, Charles Wilson, who resides in Kelloholm had several fingers injured while working at the face.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard 14/12/1927 / W / 6 / F - MM27