South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 15 August 1942

Pinned By Fall

Wombwell Man Killed in Pit

The theory that a coal cutting machine struck a “buttock” of coal, jerked away from the face and knocked out a prop, was put forward at the inquest at Wombwell on Wednesday on Jack Hawkins (32), coal cutting machine operator, 259, Hough Lane, Wombwell, who was killed by a fall of roof at Darfield Main Colliery on Tuesday morning.

The accident occurred in No. 6 District of the Beamshaw seam at the end of the night shift.

The inquest was conducted by the District Coroner (Mr. C. J. Haworth). Walter Arkwright, coal cutter, 8, Longcar Street, Barnsley, said when the accident occurred Hawkins was operating the machine, and witness was setting a derrick. The machine had been cutting about two minutes when there was a “thud,” and a big stone fell. Hawkins was struck on the shoulders. He did not speak, and witness thought he must have been killed instantly.

The deputy, George William Renton, 12, Myrtle Road, Wombwell, said he saw the fall.

Questioned by the Coroner, he said he thought the moving machine struck a prop, or possibly two. Normally there was sufficient clearance, but the machine jerked away from the face a little.

Dr. W. G. S. Maxwell said that in his opinion Hawkins’ spine was fractured. He would be killed instantly.

The Coroner found that the cause of death was fracture of the spine due to a fall of roof, and returned a verdict of “Misadventure.”