Yorkshire Evening Post – Thursday 27 November 1947

Coroner Praises Yorks Miners’ Comradeship

Brave Men Helped One Another’

THE Deputy District Coroner, Mr. 3. H Gill, at the Inquest at Wombwell to-day on three men killed by a fall of roof roof at Wombwell Main Colliery on November 11, spoke of rescue attempts which went unremittingly for several hours.

” I think great credit Is due to these men for the manner in which they set about the task,” he said. “One can realise what a precarious position they were and how brave they were. It demonstrates that comradeship of the mines which prompts men to help one another.”

Verdicts of death by misadventure were returned on George Dorllng (47), Cunnlngley Lane, Stalrfoot; Albert Rhodes (32). Robinson Terrace. Birdwell; and William Young Mark ham (43), Stubbs Road, Wombwell.

Brought from Hospital

A fourth man. Arthur Byfield (51), Bartholomew Street, Wombwell, rescued after the fall, was brought from hospital to give evidence. Two policemen carried him into the court on a stretcher.

Byfield described how, after setting four safety props, they “heard bump, and the whole place came in.”

It was stated that Dorling left Byfield with another rescuer and went to assist others, but was never seen alive again.

The Coroner said he was advised that regulations had been broken.