South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 06 June 1942

Collapsed In Pit

Thurncoe Miner’s Sudden Death

How a 52 year old miner collapsed and died at his work at Hickleton Main Colliery, was told at an inquest at Thurnscoe on Monday, on Thomas Gaskell, 3T, Tudor Street, Thurnscoe.

Emma Gaskell, widow, said her husband left home on the previous Thursday about 1.15 for work. He had been troubled for several years with an ulcerated stomach until about four years ago. He told her his work was harder than he had been used to.

Benjamin Duggan,collier, 11. Dane Street, North, Thurnscoe, said he was working with Gaskell and two other men. Gaskell had spent some time hewing coal and was occupied filling tubs. A few minutes later they heard him vomiting, and he said he felt poorly. Soon after he collapsed.

George Swales, 5, Clarence Terrace, Thurnscoe said that Garkell had appeared to be working normally before his collapse.

Dr. P. Milligan, pathologist, Doncaster, said that Gaskell’s heart was about two-thirds the normal size. There was acute ulceration of the stomach and duodenum, and cause of death was heart failure to coronary atheroma. Gaskell might have died at any time regardless of what he was doing, but the manual work on which he engaged no doubt accelerated his death.

A verdict of “Accidental Death” was recorded.