South Yorkshire Times, November 27th 1943
Haulage Hand Killed
Cortonwood Accident
The opinion that a youth killed by a fall of stone in Cortonwood Colliery on November 16th, ought not to have been allowed under the roof until timber had been re-set was expressed but e Sheffield District Coroner (Mr. A. F. Lockwood) at an inquest at Wath on Saturday, on Arnold Hodgkiss (19), haulage hand, of 25, Concrete Cottages, Brampton.
Recording a verdict of “Accidental Death” the Coroner said working underground was recognised as a hazardous occupation, but it need not be and should not be more hazardous than necessary. “Often when I have to hold these inquests on colliery accidents I am compelled to come to the conclusion that they are unforeseen and unforeseeable but I don’t think that applies in the present case.” He said.” I think it should have been realised that until timber had been re-set there was an element of insecurity in the roof which might become active at any time as it did in this instance.”
The Coroner said anyone who was unnecessary at the place for carrying out repairs should have been prevented from going there, particularly when it was anyone young and with short experience, like Hodgkiss who ought not to have been allowed at the place until the re-setting had been completed.
The youth’s father, Samuel Hodgkiss said the boy had been working underground five years. William Jarvis, deputy, of 9, Garden Grove, Hemingfield, said the fall of stone which killed Hodgkiss took place about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16th. When witness examined the place about 3.20 p.m. it was normal and there was plenty of timber set. He knew a shot was to be fired at the low end of the face, and, although he was not there when the stone fell, he was sent for and found Hodgkiss pinned down by a large piece of stone. About two bars had been taken out when the fall occurred. Questioned by the Coroner, witness said he learned that shot-firing had dislodged a bar and that two men were engaged in re-setting it. He did not think there was any additional precaution the two men could have taken to prevent the accident until they got the timber set, which would take about a quarter of an hour. The Coroner: Would it have been vital if Hodgkiss had not walked along there for quarter of an hour? Witness: It would have been better if he had not done. The Coroner: Would it seriously have mattered if he had been delayed before doing what he was going to do?’—No, sir.
NO BREAKS IN ROOF
In reply to questions by Mr. M. J. Davies (Mines Inspector), witness said there were no breaks in the roof when he examined it before the accident. There could have been timber set on the gob side before clearing loose coal on the face side. John Fenwick Ayres, shot-firer, of 6, Haroldene, Lundwood, said he examined the place and found it fit for firing He saw the colliers were in a safe position to fire a shot, and, after firing, he found the coal had been effectively loosened and the face dislodged, but there was no sign of any break in the roof. He gave instructions to two men to remove loose coal and re-set the bar. The Coroner: Do you consider it would be unsafe for anybody to walk through that place before the timber had been set? Witness: yes sir.
Further questioned by the Coroner, witness said that if head seen Hodgkiss going up to the tension end, he would have instructed him to walk on the gob side, which would have been safer. Hodgkiss was going on hands and knees down the belt, and he would have told him to get off the belt and go to the gob side. That would have been safer. He had told Albert Rose, one of the men re-setting the bar, to stop anyone going on the belt until he got the timber out.
Mr. Davies: Would you allow anyone to pass under that insecure roof?
Witness, No, Sir
Albert Edward Rose, of 73, Roebuck Street, Wombwell, one of the men instructed to re-set a prop and bar dislodged by shot-firing, said he told Hodgkiss to get off the belt, and as soon as he got off the fall occurred.
Witness agreed with Mr. Davies that it would have been better if Hodgkiss had got off the belt on the gob side where he would have been clear of the fall.
P.c. J. W. Thompson said Hodgkiss received a fractured spinal cord, base of the skull and neck, and these injuries would be sufficient to cause instant death.