Newspaper Transcription MM73

1924, 4th February

DAVID WRIGHT LORIMER

FATALITY AT GATESIDE PIT

On Monday forenoon David Lorimer, a surface worker at Gateside Colliery, Sanquhar, met his death under distressing circumstances. Along with two other workmen, he was engaged cutting down a tree on the rather steep bank along the Glen, in close proximity to the colliery. The tree on which they were engaged split near the top and crashed to the ground. The men ran to get clear, but unfortunately Lorimer was struck on the head and died in a few minutes.
Lorimer, who was 44 years of age, was a quiet and unassuming workman, who was held in high esteem both by his employers and his fellow workmen. He resided at Crawick Bridge, and leaves a widow and eight of a family, the two eldest boys being employed at the colliery.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard 06/02/1924 /W / 4 / F - MM73

FATALITY AT SANQUHAR PIT

INQUIRY AT SHERIFF COURT

Sheriff Campion and a jury yesterday held an inquiry in the Sheriff Courthouse, Dumfries, into the circumstances attending the death of David Wright Lorimer, pithead worker, Crawick Bridge, Sanquhar, which occurred as the result of an accident while following his employment on 4th February. The following jury was empanelled: Walter J. Glover, Middlefield, Annan Road, Dumfries; Mrs. Grace B. Dickie, Kelton House, Dumfries; David McNay, Mossband, Dumfries; William G. Robertson, Jennygill, Dumfries; Mrs. Helen Nicholson, Domevale, Dumfries; Mrs. Annie B. Hall, St. Cuthbert’s, Dumfries; and James Crosbie, Rowanbank, Craigs Road, Dumfries. The inquiry was conducted by Mr. R. Y. Mackay, procurator fiscal. Mr. J. Borland of the Ayrshire Coal Owners’ Association, representing the Sanquhar and Kirkconnel Collieries Ltd, was also present.
The evidence showed that Lorimer, a married man of about forty four years of age, was engaged about nine o’clock on the morning of 4th February, along with three other men, in cutting a tree in the glen on Gateside farm. The tree stood on a sloping bank beside a burn, and Lorimer, who was in charge of the operations, and a very reliable workman, cut some notches with an axe near the root of the tree and afterwards, with one of the other men commenced to saw it with a cross cut saw. When they had cut in a bout seven and a half inches a crack was heard and the tree tumbled over in the direction of Lorimer, and across the burn, the tree splitting. The butt end of the falling tree was seen to strike Lorimer along the right side of the head from the forehead backwards to the ear. It was not expected that the tree would fall in the way it did, and but for the split it would have fallen across the burn and free of Lorimer. After the accident it was observed that there was a flaw, known as a gale, in the trunk of the tree. Assistance was obtained at the pit, and Lorimer was carried to the pithead, where he was seen by Dr. Dunlop. It was found that death, which had been instantaneous, was due to fracture of the base of the skull and dislocation of the vertebrae column in the neck.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence.

Dumfries & Galloway Standard 01/03/1924 / S / 8 / C - MM73