Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 08 April 1887

Coroner’s Inquest at Wombwell

On Saturday afternoon, Mr Dossey Wightman, coroner held an inquest at the house of Mr. E. Hellewell, the Ship Inn, Wombwell, touching the death of Benj. Foster, of 6. Milton street. Wombwell, who was killed at the Darfield Main Colliery on the previous Thursday.

Mr. J. Gerrard, Governmens Inspector of mines, was present.

lt seemed from the evidence of Peter Duffey that the deceased, who  was 29 years old, was a trammer. About eight o’clock on Thursday morning he was holeing in the “softs” when, without the slightest warning, a quantity of coal from the roof came down with a crash upon him.

He was got out by Duffey and others within four minutes, quite dead.

A verdict of Accidentally killed ” was returned.