Mexborough and Swinton Times January 20, 1928
Fatal Blow.
Sequel To An Unreported Accident.
Wombwell Miner’s Death.
Mr. S. H. B. Gill, Deputy District Coroner, and a jury, held an inquest at Wombwell on Monday, on the death of Herman Senior: (41), of 6, Wombwell Main, who died the previous Friday. It was stated that Senior was injured in an accident at Wombwell Main Colliery on Jan. 4th, and also that the accident was not reported.
There were present Mr. 11. S.. Scott, .H.M. Inspector of Mines, Mr. W. ‘Thompson, general manager of the Wombwell Main Collieries, and Mr. J. W. Mellor, representing the Wombwell Main branch of the Yorkshire- Miners’ Association. ..
Lily Senior, 6, Wombwell Main, the widow, gave evidence of identification. She said that her husband, on returning ‘home from work on Wednesday, complained that something had fallen, and he had had a “nasty bump” on the chest. He complained of pain but would not, let witness fetch the doctor. He went to work the following day and continued working until Monday, Jan. 9th. On Tuesday, Jan: 10, he got up to go to work, but she would not let him go. The following day at, witness’s request, ‘.Dr. Purdie called to see him and ordered him to bed, but he would not-stay there. He became gradually worse, and died on Friday Jan. 13th.
An Accident
Hubert Rickson, 141, Blythe street, Wombwell, said he worked with Senior. On Jan. 4th he and Senior ‘were cutting coal in the Beamshaw seam, some, three yards, and a half separating them. when a stone fell from the root and knocked Senior over.
Deceased remarked that the stone had hit him on the shoulder. On witness enquiring if he was hurt, he replied, “It wasn’t much.” They were on “afternoons” and the accident happened at the end of the shift. Neither deceased no witness , reported the accident.
ln reply to, Mr. Seott, witness said deceased examined the roof about 8-40. The deputy came through the place at 8-30.
Mr. Scott: Before you cut down the corner did, you or he see a “break” in the roof?
He didn’t say anything about the condition of the place.
Was any timber “reeled” out by the fall? No.
Was the place properly timbered as required under the Coal Mines Act ? Yes, sir.
Would another bar have secured this place any better?:—I don’t think so.
Witness added that the stone Weighed about 2 cwt. It broke up into small pieces as it fell. Deceased removed it himself.
Michael Burke, 22, Pearson Field, Wombwell, said he was working with Senior and the last witness at the tune of the accident, being about four yards away from Senior. Witness saw the stone fall. He shouted to asked Senior if he was hurt. Deceased replied that it had only hit him likely.
In reply to Mr. Scott, witness said the place was well timbered.
Rickson, re called was asked by Mr. Thompson: “From the fourth to the 13th you had no idea that he was likely to be suffering from an accident? –No
Don’t you think it, strange that on the day of his death you realised that h had an accident on the 4th?
The doctor said it was through a door on the chair, and he said he got it in the pit.
Where did he say that? – At his house on the Friday.
You called to see him on the Friday, and he told you that he was suffering from an accident he received previously? – Yes.
When it came to your mind why did you not report the colliery company? – I reported it practically straight away.
Who to? – Mr Penistone.
After his death? – Yes.
Why did you not report it to the colliery company before?
I did not think I had anything to do with it. He said it was only slight.
Then it suddenly dawned on you that he had received an accident that was likely to cause of death?
He said he had received a blow in the pit, and that was the only blow he received.
You do not know whether he received the blow at, the colliery or away from the colliery?—I took his word for it.
Mr Mellor: you would not think it was a serious accident, especially as he continued to work?
No, I never thought it was serious at all
Is it not a common thing, in the ordinary course of pit experience for slight accident to occur and not to be reported? – Yes, many hundreds
Mr Thompson said there were notices prominently posted at the pit urging men to report all accidents before leaving the colliery. In that case the no report whatever until they heard of Senior death.
Influenza
Doctor J Purdie said when he first saw Senior on January 11 complained of feeling generally ill. He ate all over and a car. Witness noticed a slight bruise on the left breast. Senior said nothing about the injury. Witness diagnosed influenza.
The following day his temperature had fallen, and there were no definite signs in the chest. On the morning of Friday, January 13, he found the patient “in extremis.” The bruise on the left breast had suddenly swollen up to the neck and across the chest. Witness ordered it to be poulticed, but when he returned later in the day the man was dead. It was not until the Friday morning that the deceased said anything about the accident. The post-mortem examination revealed a large swollen discolouration in the left pectoral region. The cause of death was influenza aggravated by injury to the tissues and muscles of the breast. The injury was quite consistent with the accident described. Senior might have had influenza in any case, but it might not have proved fatal.
Mr Thompson: What do you consider an “old wound” in point of time? – Anything over a day.
Manchester come from influenza, as he did from influenza up to the bruise?
It is possible. I would not like to express an opinion. I’m quite certain that the injury to the muscles and tissues accelerated death. Mr Mellor: You had no information about his falling down away from work?
None whatsoever. Anything could have caused the injury.
Verdict
After retirement, the jury found that Senior died from influenza accelerated by a blow on the chest. The foreman said they were satisfied that the injury in the pit because the bruise on the man’s chest.
A verdict of accidental death was returned.
On behalf of the colliery company, Mr Thompson expressed regret at the loss of a valuable workman. Senior was one of the best machine men they had. They sympathise with Mrs Senior.
Mr J.W.Mellor expressed sympathy with the widow and family on behalf of the workmen, and Mr A Bamford on behalf of the jury.