| 1923,
16th October
THOMAS CRICHTON
ALARMING PIT ACCIDENT
THREE MINERS INJURED AT GATESIDE
An alarming accident occurred at Gateside Colliery yesterday, as
a result of which three young men were seriously burned by the ignition
of a quantity of blasting powder. The injured men are: Peter Haddow
(32), Queensberry Square, Sanquhar; Thomas Crichton (18), Castle Street,
Sanquhar; and Robert Scott (15), Queensberry Square, Sanquhar.
These workers were employed in the Connelbush section of the “cleek”
that is distributing empty hutches to their various places, receiving
the loaded hutches and sending them on their way to the main haulage.
How the accident occurred is not quite clear, but it appears that
some empty hutches had left the metals on their way into the section,
and the two younger lads had proceeded to put them on the rails. In
the derailed hutches were some blasting powder cases, which had got
broken in the mishap and their contents exposed. It is presumed that
a spark from a lamp had ignited the explosive, which flared up, burning
Crichton and Scott. Peter Haddow, who was close at hand, rushed to
their aid, and was also severely burned. Assistance was procured,
and the unfortunate lads attended to. On being taken to their respective
homes, Dr. Dunlop ordered their removal to Dumfries Royal Infirmary.
On inquiry at Dumfries Infirmary late last night we were informed
that Crichton and Scott, who were severely burned about the body,
are still in a critical condition; and that Haddow’s condition,
although not so critical, is still serious.
Dumfries & Galloway Standard 17/10/1923 / W / 4 / D -
MM72
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