Newspaper Transcription MM31

1929, 16th May

JOHN SMITH

KIRKCONNEL PIT FATALITY.

Miner Killed by Fall of Stone.

It is with much regret, that we have to record the occurrence of a distressing accident at Kirkconnel on Thursday night, when a miner named John Smith lost his life while following his employment at No. 1 Fauldhead Colliery. The deceased man was about forty years of age and resided in McConnel Street, Kellobank. He was killed by a fall of stone from the roof of the pit. Smith and his mate, Robert McGregor, who resides in Main Street, were working in what is known as a “stooping section” of the colliery. They had cleared the coal out, and were in the act of drawing the wood and the rails from the place, when there was a heavy surge in the roof. Both men rushed for safety, but unfortunately Smith was caught and crushed by a stone weighing several tons. McGregor had a very lucky escape. His unfortunate companion almost touched his shoulder as he fell crushed by the stone. The work of trying to recover the deceased man's body was carried on for five hours before it was successful. Lifting jacks were useless in trying to shift the stone, and finally blasting shots had to be used to tunnel a way to where the body was lying. The deceased leaves a wife and a large family. He was very much respected by his fellow employees, and the sad accident caused a gloom in the village.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard 18/05/1929 / S / 8 / F - MM31

KIRKCONNEL MINER'S DEATH

Crushed by Sudden Fall

Sheriff Brand and a jury held an inquiry in the Sheriff Court-house, Dumfries, on Thursday, into the circumstances attending the death of John Smith, miner, 47 McConnel Street, Kelloholm, Kirkconnel, who was killed by a fall of roof on 16th May. The following jury was empanelled: John Raffel, hotelkeeper, White Hart Hotel, Dumfries; Miss Margaret Tait, 40 George Street; James Steel, draper, 59 Friars' Vennel; Mrs Mary Agnes Niven, 127 Queensberry Street; William Armstrong, 8 Gordon Street; Mrs Annie R. Thorburn, Mowbray Bank, Gordon Street; and Miss Lilias Anderson, 1 Gordon Street. The inquiry was conducted by Mr D. Fergusson, procurator-fiscal depute. Mr J. Inglis, solicitor, Kilmarnock, represented the Sanquhar and Kirkconnel Collieries, Limited, and there was also present Mr Arthur Stoker, H.M. Inspector of Mines.
The evidence was to the effect that about a quarter past five on the afternoon of Thursday, 16th May the deceased John Smith was working along with a companion in the underground workings of No. 4 Section, Ray’s Dook, No. 1 Pit, Fauldhead Colliery, Kirkconnel. The men had been warned to be careful by the fireman as the roof had been cracking, but on inspection about five o'clock the roof was found to be well supported and everything appeared to be in order. In view of the working of the roof the men were preparing to leave the place by removing the hutch rails and material, and they were in the course of doing so when the roof suddenly fell. Smith and his companion rushed for shelter, but when be was about six feet from safety Smith was caught and was crushed beneath several tons which had fallen from the roof. The evidence showed that the fall was one of exceptional suddenness and that the roof noises were no greater than had been previously experienced. The props had not been removed when the fall came, and it was the experience that even after the timber had been removed the roof usually held for a considerable time. In order to remove Smith's body blasting operations had to be resorted to for several hours and it was found that he had been killed instantaneously, death being due to shock arising from compound fracture of the skull, fracture dislocation of the neck, fracture of the spine opposite the first lumbar vertebrae, fracture of the whole ribs on the right side, and compound fracture of the pelvis.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard 29/06/1929 / S / 6 / E - MM31A