South Yorkshire Times, September 26, 1942
Thurnscoe Miner Killed
An inquest was held at Thurnscoe on Saturday on Bernard Davison (30), miner, of 38, Lancaster Street, Thurnscoe, who was killed by a four-ton stone in the Barnsley seam of Hickleton Main Colliery last Thursday.
The Doncaster District Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile) recorded a verdict of “Accidental Death.”
Dr. J. L. McColm said Davison had fractured skull, fractures of the ribs on both sides, fractured spine, a large wound on his back, lacerations of the right side, and fracture of the right leg. The cause of death was shock due to multiple injuries. Death would be Instantaneous.
John Warrington, miner (24), of 24, Taylor Street, Thurnscoe, said he was working with Davison and Horace Wright In 141’s stall of the Middle East district of the Barnsley seam. They examined their working place and everything was normal. Girders were set about two feet from the ripping and there were two wooden stone props. The roof was hard. The accident occurred about 4 p.m. Witness had just got past Davison with an empty tub when without warning a large stone came down, bringing two props with it. Davison was completely trapped and was not released for hours. They examined the place afterwards and noticed a hidden slip.
In answer to the Coroner, witness said Davison was squaring back the sides of the top “soft, and had stepped back to let Wright and himself pass when the stone fell.
Horace Wright, miner, 149, Deightonby Street, Thurnscoe, said he was satisfied with the supports set.
Sidney Auty, deputy, 115, Chapel Lane, Thurnscoe said he last examined 141’s stall at 1.15 p.m. and it was then normal and safe. The “softs” had been cut and two props set under the seven foot long ripping about three feet apart. He thought the supports were sufficient. The usual practice was to get one ”web” of softs down and one ripping out. The softs had “blown” down and they had had to get extra support to the stone. He was called to the scene of the accident and helped to extricate Davison, who was dead. He examined the place and found there was a concealed slip, hidden by the stone, which would weigh about four tons. If the men had not cut as much softs it would not have been as dangerous, and there would have been less likelihood of the accident occurring. Instructions had since been given that only one “web” of softs and one ripping should be taken out in future. If another prop had been set on the centre bar it would have given extra support.