South Yorkshire Times September 12, 1959
“Accidental Death” Verdict
Goldthorpe Man Killed in Barnburgh Pit Mishap
Involved in a fatal accident at Barnburgh Main Colliery on Tuesday, Mr. James Tarmey of 63, Main Street, Goldthorpe, had worked in the mine all his working life and had only one previous minor accident.
Fifty eight years old Mr. Tarmey, was born in Denaby and moved to Goldthorpe, as a young man. He worked at Barnburgh from leaving school, then left, but returned and worked there for the past 21 years, of his 45 years in mining.
Mr. Tarmey was a member of several Working Mens’ Clubs in Goldthorpe.
He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters. and four grandchildren.
At the inquest at Goldthorpe yesterday a witness told the jury how a cloud of dust obscured his vision while engaged in conveying a tram down a steep gradient at the Colliery on Tuesday. He admitted letting go of a 12-foot rope attached to the vehicle, shortly before his colleague was fatally injured.
A verdict of ” Accidental Death ” was returned.
Edward William Smart (47), of 8, Hillcrest, Thurnscoe told the Doncaster District Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile), that he was one of four workmen engaged in conveying a tram carrying a gear head down a steep gradient. A pony and the driver were in front. In accordance with the usual practice, there was a 12-foot long looped rope attached to the rear of the vehicle. Four men, including Tarmey, were holding the rope to steady the tram as it went downhill. They had passed equally steep gradients before they reached the scene of the accident.
The witness went on: “We were moving above walking pace just before the accident,” adding that they could only hold the rope with difficulty. “The first thing I heard was Tarmey shouting, My leg’s off ‘ He had fallen to the ground together with another man, Bowers. Bowers was trying to get up and Tarmey was calling, ‘ Get the rope of my leg.’ I managed to slip the rope round his ankle and off his boot and then went to warn the deputy.” Smart added that they were using a brand new tram and it was very free running.
Horace Burton (57), of 5, Railway View, Goldthorpe, said that when they began the journey Tarmey was the last man on the rope. ” When the accident happened I was at the back. Tarmey had said he did not like being at the back. The ground was filled with sleeper holes and stones. I shouted, I am letting go of the rope — I could not see.”
The Coroner asked: ” Was it as a consequence of you letting go of the rope that the accident happened ? ”
Witness replied: ” It might have been, but I could not prove it.”
Coroner: ” Do you think you let go of the rope because you were nervous of being dragged down ? ”
Witness: ” Yes sir.”
Walter Clegg, of 6, Rise dale Road, Goldthorpe, a deputy, told the Coroner that the four men were the best in the pit for that kind of work. Asked if he considered four men were sufficient on a job .of this sort, witness replied: ” Quite sufficient for this job.”
Dr. Henry Lederer, consultant pathologist. Doncaster, said the cause of death was haemorrhage resulting from a fractured pelvis.
Sympathy was offered to the relatives by Mr. J. M. Polden on behalf of the National Coal Board, the colliery management and N.A.C.O.Ds., and by Mr. H. Swift, Barnburgh Main N.U.M branch secretary