South Yorkshire Times, April 10, 1943
Thurnscoe Haulage Hand Crushed
Injured by a run of tubs in Hickleton Main on March 29th, George Jones (15), haulage hand, son of Frank Jones, miner, of 35, Hanover Street, Thurnscoe, died in Mexborough Montagu Hospital on April 1st.
A verdict of “Accidental Death” was recorded at the inquest at Mexborough on Saturday.
The District Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile), complimented witnesses on the way they had given their evidence, and said the only point was whether the pigtail clip used to fasten the tubs was most suitable. It seemed to him that it might be an advantage to have a simpler type of clip, and no doubt that would receive consideration. The pigtail clip did not seem to have given a great deal of difficulty in the past, but he thought there was difficulty in releasing it and it might be better to have an easier clip.
Mr. B. Bunting (manager) said the Coroner’s recommendation would be seen to.
George Corbett (16), haulage hand, of 25, Butcher Street, Thurnscoe: said it was Jones’s job to take off a clip in a run of 16 empty tubs at a point where the gradient was steeper. The tubs were running normally until witness heard them touching each other, indicating that there was something wrong. Witness tried to get the back clip off but couldn’t, and then he stopped the haulage rope. He called out to Jones who did not answer, went to the front end of the empties and looked at the manholes, and then heard Jones groaning and found him underneath the tubs. Jones was conscious when released. He said “Never mind my legs and head, it’s my side that hurts.” Jones would probably be walking backwards to take the clip off the links. They had pigtail clips which were turned upside down to clip on the tubs.
These clips weremore difficult to take off than put on, and there had been times when they were unable to get a clip off first time.
The Coroner: You have given your evidence very well indeed.
“Caught His Heel.”
Cyril Baker, pit corporal, of Victoria Street, Goldthorpe, said Jones told him he was trying to get the first clip off, and when it had not come off he tried again, caught his heel on something, and fell backwards. It would be a sleeper that he caught his heel on.
William Goldthorpe, deputy, of 89. High Street, Thurnscoe, said he had had no complaints from the boys of difficulty in detaching the clips.
Dr. Peter John Cosgrove said had on admission to the hospital, Jones had shock, fractured ribs, a fracture dislocation of the breast bone, and a fractured jaw. His breathing was affected and to make the chest more rigid, an operation was performed on March 31st. Jones recovered from the anaesthetic but died the following morning from asphyxia and cardiac failure due to crushing of the chest.