Leeds Mercury – Tuesday 16 November 1937

Pit Death Mystery
Boy Crushed by Rock at Cortonwood Colliery

The mystery of how a 15-year-old haulage hand, found dead under several tons of rock two hours after shot firing at the Cortonwood Colliery, came to be near the spot, was not cleared up at the inquest at Wath-on-Dearne to-day.

The boy was George Henry Senior, of York Street, West Melton. It was stated that he was sent from the pit bottom to deliver a message to deputy in another district. On his way there he had to pass the point where shot firing was in progress. The deputy who fired the shot, John Fielding, of Wentworth Road, Brampton, said that after examining the place he sent two miners to positions on either side prevent anyone approaching the shot hole. The boy was found dead only three feet from the point where the shot was fired.

Both the look-out men said that no one could have passed them without being seen, and they did not see the boy.

The Coroner, Mr. J. Kenyon Parker, said it might be that someone could be criticised for some breach of regulations, but it might be only trivial. That was a matter for the Inspector, not the Jury.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death.”