Barnsley Chronicle August 30, 1902

Fatal Accident at Cortonwood

An inquest was held before Mr D Wightman and the jury at the Ship Inn on Monday, touching the death of James Albert Charlesworth, aged 14 years, of Milton Street, Wombwell, who succumbed to injuries received at the Cortonwood C. Olliery on the previous Friday.

Thomas Heathcote, in whose working place the accident happened, said that deceased was a pony driver, and he (witness) had had to warn him on several occasions against lifting his pick and attempting to work at the coalface.

He (Heathcote) was busy in company with his trammer, Joseph Freeman, filling a corve for which the unfortunate lad was waiting, when he heard a noise, and turning around, discovered that there had been a fall, about 5 yards off.

Proceeding to the place, he found Charlesworth lying beside the rails, free from the fall, but with a wound in his temple which was bleeding profusely. He picked him up and gave him a drink of water, but the lad did not again speak, and died about five minutes later.

Joseph Freeman said he saw deceased take up the pick, and told him to put it down, but he kept on working, holing at the face.

Freeman was censored for his negligence by the Coroner, who told him that it was his duty to see that the boy put the pick down, and went out from the face.

Mr Gregory, manager, was present on behalf of the company, and Mr Raley, solicitor, Barnsley for the family.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

It is just about a year ago since William Charlesworth, father of the deceased, was drowned while fishing in the canal at Cadeby.