Newspaper Transcription MM28

15th November, 1928

JOHN HANKINSON

MINER ELECTROCUTED

Fatality at Fauldhead Pit.

A most distressing accident occurred in Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel, at a late hour on Thursday night, resulting in the death of a young miner, John Henry Hawkinson, aged 23 years, who resided with his grandmother at 17 Nithside Terrace. He was engaged on the afternoon shift, and was working in a section known as Neil’s Dirk. He was conveying a hutch loaded with coal from the coal face to the haulage lye, when the hutch came into contact with an electric cable. Hawkinson was pushing the hutch from behind, and he received a sufficient charge of electricity to cause his death. When his mates discovered his plight, means were immediately taken to secure his release, and Dr Edgar was summoned. With all possible speed the doctor descended the pit shaft, and worked with might and main to save the unfortunate lad, but all efforts were futile.
Deceased was a lad who was held in high esteem in Kirkconnel, and the tragic occurrence created a profound sensation in the district. The young man’s parents reside in Barrow-in-Furness.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard 17/11/1928 / S / 8 / F - MM28