Mexborough and Swinton Times April 2, 1937

Broken Melody
Stairfoot Man Killed at Mitchell Main
Swift end

A story of how death intervened in the middle of a cheerful song was related the inquest at Wombwell on Wednesday on James Ernest Binns (30), colliery ripper, 1 Field Lane, Hunningly Lane, Stairfoot, Barnsley, who lost his life at the Mitchell Main colliery in the early hours of Good Friday.

Binns was suddenly overwhelmed by a fall of Roof and his neck was broken.

A workmate told the Coroner that they were cleaned up and airway in the Silkstone seem when the fall occurred at what they thought was a safe place. They were going along cheerfully with their work Binns was singing “Empty saddles in the old Corral” when two ton of stone fell on him.

The enquiry was conducted in the Park Street Methodist School by the District Coroner Mr CJ Haworth. The colliery was represented by Mr William Clayton agent.

Mr J Winder, general secretary of the Yorkshire Deputy Association appeared on behalf of the deputies, and Mr T Newsome, president of the Mitchell Main Branch of the Yorkshire Mineworkers Association and Mr H Copeland representing the workmen. The coroner was assisted by Mr CW Scott, HM mines inspector.

Dr WC Jardine said Binns had a broken neck.

Two Tons of Stone

William Taylor, ripper, of 26, Pickup Crescent Wombwell, said he and Binns were in the Silkstone seam on Good Friday morning removing a fall of dirt had been doing the work for about five minutes when another fall buried Binns.

Witness was about 2 yards away from Binns when the fall occurred. He estimated the weight of the fall at about two tons and said the stone was removed within seven or eight minutes, but Binns was dead. When the fall occurred the bar came out.

The Coroner: Could the work you and Binns were doing helped bring the dirt down? – Binns was doing the work in the usual way.

Witness added that Binns had picked five or six stones out when there was a puff of dust. Witness put up his hands to shield his eyes and then the fall occurred.

Answering the Mines Inspector, Taylor said the deputy had told them to remove the dirt. When they went to the place the wall was secure and the sides did not appear to be weak. The area was supported by bars 4’6” apart, with covering wood between.

Question by Mr Newsome, Taylor said he had worked in the Silkstone seam a considerable time and was accustomed to the work.

Mr Newsome: Are you satisfied with the type of timber and in this part of the pit? – I am. He added, however, that he preferred “ringing.”

He agreed with Mr Newsome that at the point where the accident occurred there was a tendency for the sites to crumble owing to the high velocity of the air current.

The Coroner: In course of time there is a tendency for any sides to give? – Yes.

The Inspector: You did not consider it was necessary to put legs under the bar? – No.

But being wise after the event you agree now it would be a good thing? – Yes.

Everything “In Order.”

Reply to Mr Winder witness said he had done the kind of work in which he was engaged when the accident occurred, fairly regularly. He examined the place before the start of work and found nothing to suggest the possibility of an accident.

It was perfectly satisfied with the place and found everything in order. He added that Binns was singing and whether the vibration of his raised voice affected the roof he could not say.

The Geoffrey, Edgar Benson of 1, King Street, Stairfoot, Barnsley, said he examined the place at 10.45 on Thursday night. There was a recent fall in the area, but when he examined the place he did not anticipate any danger. He thought the place was quite safe. He made a further examination after the fall and thought one of the sides had pushed away from the centre bar and thus released it. The fall revealed a fracture in the roof that was not apparent previously.

The Coroner: Would the men alter the pressure by moving stones? – They may have done.

The Inspector: When you saw that there had been a fall in the way you look for danger? – Yes. I made a special examination.

Mr Newsome: After this mishap would you suggest “middle legging” bars of this character in case of anything happening? – Yes

Taylor, recall, said the dust was probably the beginning of the fall and if the air had blown it Binns way he might have escaped.

The deputy, in reply to the Mines Inspector, said he would have put in extra support if he had doubted the safety of the place.

The Coroner: Everyone seems to have been misled as to the possible danger.

Mr Winder suggested that the first thing a workman should do is because in such cases was to set a middle leg. In this case the bar was definitely lodged in the side.

Mr Newsome said it was for the deputies to give instructions to the men.

Mr Winder: We are not here to debate. I speak as a deputy of 20 years standing and I say it should be the first duty of the workmen to see that the places are safe.

The Coroner: In this case the place was considered safe. No one apparently appreciated the exact state of affairs.

The Mines Inspector pointed out that the colliery company were putting steel arches, but had not yet reached the point where the mishap occurred.

The coroner, We may come to the stage where steel arches will come out.

The inspector: Steel arches yield but remain in position. Wood falls out.

The Coroner said the men were not doing particularly dangerous work. Emphasising the necessity of all precautions been taken, he said that principle applied to people above ground as well as below.

A verdict of “Death by misadventure” was returned.

Binns, who had lived at 1, Field Lane, Stairfoot, all his life, leaves a widow and one child.During the war he served in the Royal Welsh Regiment at Salonika.

Prior to moving to Mitchell Main three years ago he had worked at Barnsley Main Colliery.

He was well known as a referee under the Barnsley Football Association and  at a local cup tie at Oakwell on Tuesday a silence was observed in his memory.