Mexborough and Swinton Times December 16, 1939

Natural Causes Verdict

Adjourned Inquest on Mitchell Main Miner

Story of Old Accident

The inquest was resumed at the Methodist Church, Cemetery Road, Wombwell, on Tuesday on Samuel Evans (59), 11, Bond Street, Wombwell, who collapsed and died while walking to the pit bottom from his work in the Billingley district of the Parkgate seam at Mitchell Main Colliery on Wednesday, November 8th.

When the inquest was opened on November 10th a son, William Evans, miner. 1, Prospect Terrace, Wombwell, said his father had always been in good health until he had the accident at Mitchell Main Colliery on July 11th, 1938. He said he understood that some coal came over from the face and pinned his father against a prop, hurting his side. After the accident his father drew compensation.

The Coroner adjourned the inquest so that the organs could be sent away for pathological examination.

The Deputy Coroner (Mr. S. H. B. Gill) conducted the adjourned inquest and there were present Mr. A. Grimes (agent), Mr L. Smethurst (manager). I and Mr. W Bunting (Messrs. Parker Rhodes and Co.), representing the Mitchell Main Colliery Co., and Mr. H. Copeland, secretary of the Mitchell Main Branch of the Yorkshire Mineworkers’ Association.

Complained Of Pains

William Evans recalled his earlier evidence and said that after the accident his father complained repeatedly of pains in the chest. He recovered from injuries to his legs, but could not lift his arm above his shoulder. Before the accident he enjoyed good health. He understood that his father had suffered from a contused thigh.

Andrew Callaghan, colliery ripper, 6, Birk Terrace, Kendray Estate, Barnsley, said he worked along with Evans on the night of November 7th clearing up an airway. Evans made no complaint although witness was speaking to him up to within a quarter of an hour of his death. They had finished their work about 7 a.m. and, making their wat, to the pit bottom, stopped to rest at the top of the plane. They had been there about five minutes when Evans, who was in a kneeling position, suddenly fell forward.

Thinking it was a faint, witness rubbed his hands and massaged his heart, but there was no response. He died without speaking. Witness sent for the deputy and he was taken out of the pit.

The Coroner: Had he been doing anything exceptionally hard that night?

Witness: It is all hard work in the pit, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. He said they had not been ripping during the night.

Suggested a Rest

In reply to Mr. Copeland, witness said it was Evans who suggested that they should rest. It was the usual thing to rest at that point before going up a steep incline.

James Harrod, ripper, 42. Grace Street. Barnsley, said Evans never complained during the night. Evans seemed to fall with his head between his knees.

P.c. Cooper said he conveyed the body from the colliery to Wombwell Mortuary, was present during the postmortem examination by Dr. McLaughlin, and took the organs to Dr. Sutherland at Wakefield.

Dr. P. L. Sutherland, Pathologist to the West Riding County Council, said the lungs showed marked signs of anthrocosis, which one would expect to find in a miner. It was all coal dust and there was no sign of silicosis. There was evidence of myo-carditis and the condition of the heart would account for death. The latter condition was of long standing. People suffering from that ailment ‘ sometimes complained of pain, and when they did it was usually across the chest. Death was usually sudden. So far as could be judged from the organs it was a natural death.

Mrs. Evans said that before the accident her husband was a strong, healthy man and never complained. She was convinced that had he given up work at the usual time—about five o’clock—he would have got home.

Natural Death

Dr. H. E. McLaughlin, Barnsley, said he conducted the post-mortem examination in the presence of Drs. Taylor and Lee and P.c Cooper. The body was well developed and he saw no evidence of injury, apart from an operation scar in the region of the kidneys and a bruised leg. The right lung was fibrous and very black, and there were signs of arterio sclerosis. He agreed with Professor Sutherland’s findings and he also agreed that the cause of death was coronary arterio sclerosis, thrombosis and chronic myo-carditis. A man whose heart was in such a condition could die in any circumstances and in his opinion it was a natural death.

The Coroner: You cannot connect it with his work?

Witness: I cannot.

The Coroner recorded a verdict of “Death from Natural Causes.” Mr. Smethurst extended the sympathies of the colliery company to the widow rind family, saying that Evans was a good workman. Similar expressions were offered by Mr. Copeland on behalf of the men.

Evans had been employed at Mitchell Main for thirty-three years and was a well known member of the Wombwell branch of the British Legion.