Accidents 1915 onwards

This section contains newspaper reports on selected accidents. Please check the indexes in the Accidents Section for details of Inspector of Mines reports and other accidents covered on the site.

1 February 1915

Hamilton – Distressing Accident – A distressing accident occurred on Monday at Greenfield Colliery, Hamilton, to a young man employed at a coal washing machine. He was oiling the machinery when he was caught by the revolving shaft, and his right arm was torn off at the shoulder. He was conveyed in a motor ambulance to the Royal Infirmary. The injured lad is James Henderson, 19, and resided at 46 Beckford Street, Hamilton. He had only started work at the coal washer that morning. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 6 February 1915]

Colliery Accident – On Monday morning, while James Henderson was in the act of oiling the machinery of a coal washing machine at Greenfield Colliery, he met with a shocking accident, being caught by the revolving shaft and having his right arm torn off at the shoulder. He was removed to the Royal Infirmary. Henderson, who is only 19 years of age, resides at 46 Beckford Street, Hamilton, and had started work at Greenfield Colliery on the morning on which the accident occurred. [Hamilton Herald 3 February 1915]

26 April 1915

Boy Drowned in a Colliery Pond - The Lanarkshire police reported yesterday the death by drowning the previous afternoon of Andrew Falconer (11), 65 Augustine Street, Cadzow, near Hamilton. Tho boy had gone to Cadzow Colliery with his father's dinner and shortly after he had handed it over the father and other workers heard shouts that the boy Falconer had fallen into a fence-protected pond, the water in which is 12 feet deep. Bubbles were seen on the surface of the water; and with grappling irons the body was recovered. Artificial respiration was immediately applied, but all efforts proved unavailing.[Scotsman 27 April 1915]

30 August 1915

Colliery Roadsman Killed - Yesterday morning, James Hunter (41), colliery roadsman, 2 Anderson Street, Greenfield was killed while at work in No. 2 Pit, Greenfield Colliery, Hamilton. He had gone to execute a repair on the side of the road, when he was caught by a fall from the roof and although he was speedily extricated, life was found to be extinct. Hunter leaves a widow and a family of five. [Scotsman 31 August 1915]

13 June 1916

Colliery Fatality – About 1.30 yesterday afternoon Richard Lindsay, 29, shiftsman, while engaged in No 3 Pit, Cadzow Colliery, was killed by a fall of stone from the roof. Deceased was married and resided at 4 Brown Street, Hamilton. [Hamilton Herald 14 June 1916]

5 July 1916

Colliery Fatality – About 2.30 yesterday afternoon an accident occurred in the splint coal seam of No 2 Pit, Clyde Colliery, as a result of which Henry M'Kinnon Murdoch (17) pony driver, Beckford Street, Hamilton, lost his life. The deceased brought four hutches to the pit bottom and thereafter brought forward other four. He was stooping to unfasten the tail chain when his head was caught between the rakes, and he was knocked back on to the road. The injured lad was carried to the pit head but expired on the way. Dr Brownlie, who was summoned, was of the opinion that death was due to a fracture of the skull. Murdoch's father is presently on active service at Salonika, and his eldest brother, who is also in the Army, is in England. [Hamilton Herald 6 July 1916]

12 July 1916

Kicked By A Pony – On Wednesday forenoon Matthew Kilday, pony driver, residing with his parents at 4 Purdie Street Burnbank, met with an accident while at work in the Kiltongue seam of No 3 Pit, Earnock Colliery. He received a severe kick from a pony in the lower part of the stomach which rendered him unconscious for several hours. After being attended to on the surface by Dr Brownlie he was removed home. A brother of Kilday's was killed in Bent Pit two years ago. [Hamilton Advertiser 15 July 1916]

NB Brother presumably John Kilday, killed Bent Colliery, 14 May 1914

28 July 1916

Lanarkshire Jury and a Safety Lamp - Yesterday , in Hamilton Sheriff Court, Hon. Sheriff Stodart and a jury conducted an inquiry under the Fatal accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Act , 1895, into the circumstances attending the death as the result of an explosion in No. 3 Pit, Earnock Colliery, Hamilton, of John Madden, miner, 5 Forrest Street, Blantyre. In the course of the inquiry, the type of safety lamp in use at this colliery entered largely into the evidence, and testimony, was borne to the alleged defective nature of its construction, Mr R Smillie, who represented the miners and the relatives of the deceased, strongly urged the jury to add a rider to the usual formal verdict, and they agreed to the following:- “That the explosion was due to the safety lamp in use in this mine not being properly put together, and the jury recommend that the management should exercise stricter supervision over those in charge of the safety lamps.” [Scotsman 16 August 1916]

NB John Madden, age 16 died of burns on 28 July 1916 in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary

25 August 1916

Machineman Killed At Udston Colliery – The Lanarkshire police yesterday reported a fatal accident at Udston colliery, in Hamilton Parish. James Gourlay (35), employed as a machineman in connection with a coal cutter, while clearing the wheel at the rear of the machine, was caught underneath a large stone, weighing about a ton, which fell from the roof. When he was extricated life was extinct. Gourlav, who was married, resided at Bute Terrace, Auchenraith Road, Blantyre. [Scotsman 26 August 1916]

5 December 1916

A distressing fatality occurred yesterday morning to a pithead worker at No 8 Quarter Pit, of the United Collieries Limited. James Pringle, a middle aged workman was caught in the machinery and was so severely injured that he died soon after being extricated. He was married and resided at Plotcock in the parish of Hamilton. [Hamilton Herald 6 December 1916]

2 April 1917

Fatal Accident – Wm. Neil (25), strapper, residing at 7 New Wynd, Hamilton, met with an accident about 1.30pm on Sunday last which proved fatal. He was working in the Blackband seam in No. 2 Pit, Ferniegair, when a stone weighing about 15 cwts fell from the roof, knocking him to the pavement, and causing death within 5 minutes. The body was examined by Dr Steele, who certified death to be due to suffocation. He leaves a widow and three children. [Hamilton Advertiser 7 April 1917]

24 May 1917

Fatality At Bent Colliery – William Alexander Muir, 54, scree engineman, 18 Burnside Lane, met his death on Thursday afternoon at the pithead of No 3 Bent Colliery. Something had gone wrong with the travelling clots leading to the washing machine, and it is believed deceased had gone to see what was the matter. Later on, one of the company's engineers found Muir fixed in the machinery and apparently dead. Dr Macfarlane was summoned and pronounced life extinct. It would seem that deceased's clothing had been caught in the revolving shaft and he had been drawn in. His neck was fractured and he had other injuries. He leaves a widow and a grown up family. [Hamilton Advertiser 26 May 1917]

25 May 1917

Man Killed at Ross Colliery – Yesterday morning David Morrison, miner, sustained injuries at the Ross Colliery, from which he died very shortly afterwards. He was run down by a rake of hutches. Deceased was a married man, and resided at 12 Gladstone Street, Burnbank. [Hamilton Advertiser 26 May 1917]

6 June 1917

Youth Killed at Clyde Colliery – About 2 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, Isaac Callison, 17, haulage worker, son of and residing with Richard Callison, miner, Holyrood Street Burnbank, accidentally met his death while at work in the pyotshaw coal seam of No 3 Pit, Clyde Colliery. He had halted with a rake of empty hutches until a rake of loaded ones coming in the opposite direction had passed him. He went to meet the loaded rake, and while standing on the other line, the loaded hutches, in some unexplained way, left the rails and knocked him down, injuring him so severely that he lived only a few moments. [Hamilton Advertiser 9 June 1917]

6 August 1917

Drowned In A Pit Pond – The body of a man was found floating in the pond at Bent Colliery, Hamilton, on Monday forenoon, and was subsequently identified as that of George Gibson, a miner, 65 years of age, who resided in the Bent. He had been ailing for several years and unable to work, and latterly had been somewhat depressed. [Hamilton Advertiser 11 August 1917]

25 & 27 September 1917

Colliery Fatalities – David McBeth, 49, who was accidentally killed while at work as a miner in Greenfield Colliery on Tuesday afternoon, was well known in quoiting circles and was a member of Burnbank Quoiting Club. Along with his son he had been employed at the coal face, when a large stone fell upon him, fracturing his skull. He leaves a wife and a family of 5 who reside at 309 Glasgow Road, Hamilton – About 11 o'clock on Thursday forenoon, John Harvie, 32, miner, Low Patrick St, was killed in Clyde Colliery. He and another workman were employed in the same working place, and Harvie, farthest in, is believed to have been in the act of fixing a support prop when he was caught by a large stone which fell from the roof. Two hours elapsed before he could be extricated, by which time he was dead. [Hamilton Advertiser September 29 1917]

2 October 1917

Thomas Scott (33), while working as a machineman in Allanton Colliery, Hamilton, was killed by a fall of stone from the roof. He resided in Orchard Street, Hamilton. [Sunday Post 7 October 1917

12 December 1917

Fatality at Greenfield Colliery – David Smith, 57, miner, Portland Place, Hamilton, was killed on Wednesday morning in No 1 Greenfield Pit. Along with a brother he was drawing props, when a sudden burst in the roof enveloped him. The brother had a narrow escape. [Hamilton Advertiser 15 December 1917]

13 February 1918

Thomas Gibbons (17), miner, Muir Street, Hamilton, was killed by a fall of debris in the Clyde colliery. [Scotsman 14 February 1918]

17 February 1918

When David Stewart, miner. 11 Wylie Street Hamilton was coming off his shift at Allanton Colliery, Ferniegair, he was run down at the level crossing there by the late train from Larkhall and killed instantaneously. He was a married man. [Scotsman 18 February 1918]

19 February 1918

Colliery Fatality - As the result of injuries received at his work in Bent Colliery on Monday, John Taylor, 30, machineman, Eddlewood House, Hamilton, died in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, yesterday afternoon. The coal cutter at which deceased was working “kicked” and he was jammed against the coal face. He was extricated with some difficulty, and after having been attended by Dr Steele, was removed to the Infirmary. [The Lanarkshire, Incorporating the Hamilton Herald 20 February 1918]

30 May 1918

Succumbs To Injuries - Joseph Vicars, 52, 21 Old Rows, Greenfield, who was injured on Friday of last week while at work at the face in Greenfield Colliery, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday in the Royal Infirmary. [Hamilton Advertiser 1 June 1918]

13 September 1918

Fatality at Bent Colliery - About two o’clock yesterday morning Robert Cavanagh (50), brusher, Forrest Place, High Blantyre, was accidentally killed in No. 1 Pit Bent Colliery. Cavanagh and another man named Morrow were engaged clearing away the debris caused by some shots which had been previously fired. While so engaged large stone weighing about two tons fell from the roof, crushing Cavanagh to the pavement and killing him instantly. Morrow had a narrow escape. Cavanagh was working his first shift in the pit. [Hamilton Advertiser 14 September 1918]

5 December 1918

Explosion in a Hamilton colliery - By an explosion of gas in the Clyde Colliery Hamilton, six men were injured, and five of them had to be convoyed to the Infirmary. The explosion occurred in a machine section where several man were engaged in electric cutting. The following are the injured:- Andrew Hamilton, 65 Windsor Street, Burnbank; James M'Culloch, 12 Gladstone Street, Burnbank; William Jones, 129 Quarry Street, Hamilton; Frank Graham, Hill View Morris Street, Hamilton; and John Graham, 6 Quarry Place, Hamilton. The sixth man was able to walk home. [Scotsman 6 December 1918]

NB Andrew Hamilton, died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 6 December 1918

29 January 1920

Boy Workers Tragic End - While at work on Thursday at the picking tables at No 1 Pit, Greenfield Colliery, William Stannage accidentally fell under the boarding and was caught in the revolving machinery and killed. Deceased who resided with his parents at 83 Donaldson Street, Burnbank, had just turned 14 years of age, and had only recently begun to work. [Hamilton Advertiser January 31 1920]

Court of Session – Outer House – Tuesday January 18 (Before Lord Ashmore) - Boy Mine-Workers Death - W Stannage v Archibald Russell (Ltd) - Intimation was made of the settlement of an action in which William Stannage, miner, 86 Donaldson Street, Burnbank, Hamilton, sued Archibald Russell (Ltd.), coalmasters, Greenfield Colliery, Hamilton, for £500 damages for the death of his son William, aged 14 years. The boy had been employed by the defenders at their "coal-screeing" plant for about three months, earning an average wage of 26s. per week. In discharge of his duty on 29th January 1920 he proceeded to the gangway for the upper table, when he fell through a part that was unfenced and unguarded. He was caught by the lower delivery table, carried round a circular dram at the end and killed. The action was down for jury trial next week. The defenders have paid the pursuer £250 and expenses, and the action has been taken out of Court. [Scotsman 19 January 1921]

16 February 1920

Fatality At Greenfield Colliery – John M'Farlane, 64 carter, 11 Craig Street, Blantyre, was accidentally killed at Greenfield Colliery on Monday. He was engaged loading coal from a waggon into his cart at the granary siding, when he jumped down to take charge of his horse, which had become restless. It shied and came round upon him, with the result that his head struck the buffer of a waggon and was pinned between the wheels of the cart and the cart body. Death occurred before he could be released. [Hamilton Advertiser 21 February 1920]

15 April 1920

Colliery Fatality – Earnock Colliery, Hamilton, was on Thursday the scene of a fatal accident, a miner named Morrison Docherty, 33 Glasgow Road, Springwell, Blantyre, being killed in the course of his employment. [The Lanarkshire 17 April 1920]

1 August 1922

Colliery Fatality – The Burgh Police report a fatal accident which occurred in Greenfield Colliery, Hamilton, on Tuesday last, the victim of which was Adam Casement, 34, a roadman, residing at 5 Greenfield Road, Hamilton. Deceased was at work in the Humph Coal Seam of No 1 Pit, when he was fatally injured by a fall from the roof. [The Lanarkshire 5 August 1922]

10 October 1922

Engineman's Death at a Hamilton Colliery – Samuel Baird, 21, table engineman, Meikle Earnock, was accidentally killed while at work at Neilsland Colliery, Hamilton. He was caught in the machinery and death was instantaneous. [Scotsman 12 October 1922]

15 January 1923

Fatal Accident In A Hamilton Pit - Thomas Gold, a coal-cutting machineman, residing at 17 Johnstone Street, Hamilton, lost his life while at work in No. 1 Pit, Neilsland colliery, Hamilton. He was engaged at a coal-cutting machine, when he was caught by a slack rope. He was thrown among the revolving picks, and so severely injured that he died almost immediately. Gold, who was 26 years of age, is survived by a widow and two children. [Scotsman 17 January 1923]

18 May 1923

Miner Killed on Pithead - Henry Calligan (49), a miner, living in Greenside Home, Hamilton, met with his death at Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, on Friday, practically at the close of his shift. While Callighan was employed on the pithead a waggon ran over him, and he was killed instantaneously. [Scotsman 21 May 1923]

13 August 1923

Oversman Killed in a Hamilton Pit - While proceeding along the Kiltongue seam in No. 1 Pit, Cadzow Colliery. Hamilton, with a rake of loaded hutches, William Hunter (32) , an oversman living at 245 Low-waters, Hamilton, crashed into a steel beam which had been brought down by a fall, and was instantaneously killed. [Scotsman 15 August 1923]

10 January 1924

Pit Fatality – About half past six on Thursday morning a distressing fatality occurred in No 3 Pit, Bent Colliery, the victim being Richard Glass, 18, coal gummer, who resided at 17 Glebe Street, Bent. The unfortunate young man was at work in the virtuewell seam when he was crushed by a sudden fall from the roof. A sad feature of the accident was that his shift would have finished half an hour earlier. [Hamilton Advertiser January 12 1924]

7 February 1924

Pit Fatality – A fatal accident occurred in No 2 Pit, Greenfield Colliery, about half past 6 on Thursday, the victim being Isaac Callison, 42, miner, residing in Holyrood Street, Burnbank. It seems that the deceased was at work in the Blackband seam near a place where shot firing operations were in progress. Death was instantaneous. [Hamilton Advertiser 9 February 1924]

19 February 1924

An Allanton Colliery Accident – Of the eight fatal accident inquiries at Hamilton on Wednesday, all the verdicts by the jury were formal except that in the case of Alexander Anderson, bogieman, 32 New Street, Birkenshaw, who met his death recently while employed in Allanton Colliery, Ferniegair. Anderson was 14 years of age. In the case Mr James Murdoch, of the Lanarkshire Mine Workers' Union, represented the relatives of the deceased boy, and asked that a rider be added to the jury's verdict stating that there had been gross carelessness on the part of someone in not instructing this boy and his fellow worker – another boy – in their duties. The boys had been attending to running hutches when an accident occurred and their lights went out. They did not known how to stop the hutches. The jury accepted the proposed rider, and also suggested that an older person should have been with the boys. [Hamilton Advertiser 29 March 1924]

9 April 1924

Cadzow Pit Fatality - A distressing fatal accident occurred in Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, about half past one on Wednesday afternoon. The victim was Archibald Brownlie, 64, miner, 11 Low Waters, Hamilton, who was instantaneously killed by a stone, weighing about a ton, which fell from the roof of the place he was working in. Deceased is survived by a widow. [Hamilton Advertiser 12 April 1924]

7 October 1924

Hamilton Pitworker Fatally Injured - An oncost worker, Alexander Dunn, who resided at Baukfield Place, Strathaven Road, Hamilton, died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary as a result of injuries sustained, while working in the main coal seam of No. 8 pit Quarter Collieries, Hamilton. A passing hutch left the rails and pinned him against the side of the workings, inflicting severe internal injuries. He leaves a widow and five children. [Scotsman 8 October 1924]

29 November 1924

Brick Wall Collapses – Two Hamilton Firemen Killed - Philip Cundalen and Arthur Roadnight, boiler firemen, were instantaneously killed while at work at Clyde colliery, Hamilton. The men were engaged at the boiler fires when a brick retaining wall collapsed and buried them. Rescue operations were immediately undertaken, but both men were dead when they were got out. [Scotsman 2 December 1924]

30 December 1924

Miner's Widow Gets £600 Compensation – An award of £600 as compensation for the death of her husband, Alexander Brown, has, in Hamilton Sheriff Court, been made to Mrs Edith Matthews or Brown, 61 Russell Street, Burnbank, who sued the deceased's employers, John Watson (Ltd.), coalmasters, Hamilton. The claimant averred that her husband's death was caused or accelerated by gas poisoning received at his work in respondents' Earnock Colliery. It was submitted on behalf of the employers that the cause of death was bacterial and not toxic in origin, but this was rejected by Sheriff Shennan, who heard the proof. [Scotsman 16 January 1926]

June 1925

Hamilton Miner Killed In Ladysmith – South African papers to hand this week report the death of Peter Whiskers, miner, who for the past twenty years has resided in Ladysmith. He belonged to Hamilton and was 57 years of age. While at work in the Extension Mines he was struck by a fall of rock and so severely injured that he died subsequently in Ladysmith Hospital. This was the first fatal accident in the Extension Mines in the past 5 years. Deceased leaves a wife and three sons and three married daughters – Mrs A. O. Buck, Nanaimo; Mrs T M Wilson, Ladysmith; and rs V Dick, Timberland. [Hamilton Advertiser June 6 1925]

31 July 1925

Burnbank Miner Killed – On Friday afternoon James M'Kenna, miner, residing at 13 Albert Buildings, Earnock, Burnbank, was killed in Earnock Colliery from a fall from the roof in the Kiltongue seam. He leaves a widow and a grown up family of six. Away back in the early nineties, M'Kenna (who was well known locally) was a prominent footballer, having played with Hamilton Harp and latterly with Burnbank Swifts. His contemporaries of that day will regret to learn of his tragic death. The funeral on Monday to Wellhall Cemetery was one of the largest seen in the district for some time, nearly 400 following the remains of the deceased to the cemetery. [Hamilton Advertiser 8 August 1925]

16 November 1927

Pit Fatality – Francis Martin, 20, miner, who resided with his parents at 95 Albert Buildings, Burnbank, was so seriously injured while at work at the beginning of this week, that he died in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Hamilton Advertiser 19 November 1927]

23 January 1928

Miner Fatally Injured – James Rae, 52, miner, 93 Beckford Street, was so seriously injured while at work in No 1 Pit, Neilsland Colliery, early on Monday morning, that he died in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow on the same day. It seems that the unfortunate man was filling a hutch when he was caught by a heavy fall of coal, which pinned him to the pavement by the left leg. Fellow workmen extricated him with all possible speed, but the injury coupled with severe shock proved fatal as already stated. [Hamilton Advertiser 28 January 1928]

10 April 1928

Fatality At Cadzow Colliery – On Tuesday John Johnstone Kane (18) pony driver, 13 Wilson Terrace, Cadzow, met with a fatal accident in the Kiltongue Seam of No 1 pit, Cadzow Colliery. He was employed taking hutches from the slope to the main haulage road, and at a part where the way was about 4 feet high he was crushed between one of the hutches and the roof, sustaining severe such injuries on the head and chest that he died almost immediately. [Hamilton Advertiser 14 April 1928]

19 April 1928

Hamilton Pit Fatality - As the result of a fall of material yesterday morning in No. 3 pit, Clyde Colliery, Hamilton, belonging to Wilsons & Clyde (Ltd.), one workman was killed and two were injured. The man who was killed was William Mauchline (34), a brusher, who resided at 93 Windsor Street, Burnbank, Hamilton; and the men who were injured were Daniel Morgan (34), brusher, 6 School Street, Hamilton, whose left leg was fractured and left arm bruised, and John Twaddell, (57), brusher , 22 Miller Street, Hamilton, who received a scalp wound, with bruising to the ribs. Morgan was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, and Twaddell after being medically attended, was taken home. [Scotsman 20 April 1928]

7 October 1928

Hamilton Pit Explosion – Four Miners Injured - As the result of an explosion in the Kiltongue seam of No. 1 Pit, Cadzow Colliery, near Hamilton, on Sunday evening, four men were injured, three of them seriously, and one to a lesser extent The most seriously injured men are James Brooks, Thomas Paton, and James Rodden, all residing in the Low Waters district of Hamilton. They received burning injuries and shock, and were removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The fourth man, John Kane, living in M'Ghie Street, Hamilton, was able to go home. It is believed that the explosion was due to the fusing of a wire connected with one of the electric coal cutters. [Scotsman 9 October 1928]

The Hamilton Pit Explosion – Two Deaths – The death has occurred in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, of two of the four men who were injured in the explosion which took place in Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, on Sunday evening. The men who have died are James Rodden and Tomas Paton, both married men, who lived in the Low Waters District of Hamilton. A third man, James Brooks, is still lying in a critical condition in the Royal Infirmary. The fourth man was less seriously injured. [Scotsman 11 October 1928]

19 October 1928

Three miners were seriously burned as the result of an explosion early on Friday morning in No 1 Pit, Ross Colliery, Ferniegair, Hamilton; belonging to Archibald Russell and Co, Ltd. The three men, who were engaged in the seam at the time, were removed to hospital suffering from burns about the head and face, and their condition is reported to be serious. They are: -

Patrick M McLaughlan (47) Stevenston Street, Calton, Glasgow
Michael Dougan (34), Campbell St, Hamilton
Sutherland McKay (32) Mackin Road, Larkhall

This is the second pit explosion in Hamilton within the last 10 days and as a result the colliery was completely idle on Friday [Times October 22 1928]

Ross Colliery Accident - An accident of an alarming and rather serious nature occurred in No 1 pit, Ross Colliery, Ferniegair, about 3.30 yesterday morning, as a result of which three men are now in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, suffering from burning injuries. They are:- Sutherland M'Kay, brusher, 63 Machan Road, Larkhall; Michael Dougan, brusher, 17 Campbell Street, Hamilton; and Patrick M'Laughlan, brusher, 138 Stevenson Street, Calton, Glasgow. They were employed at the time in the Pyotshaw coal seam about a mile and a quarter from the pit bottom, and the accident is believed to have been caused by an ignition in some unexplained way of gas. M'Kay was severely burned about the face, neck, back, arms and hands; Dougan on the arms, hands and neck; and M'Laughlan on the face, arms and hands. All three are, in addition, suffering from shock. [Hamilton Advertiser 20 October 1928]

NB Sutherland McKay died on October 26th in Glasgow Royal Infirmary

20 December 1928

Tragic Pit Occurrence - John Dickson, 22, a pithead engineer, residing at 241 Low-waters, was killed while working at Cadzow Colliery about 10.15 on Thursday night. Dickson was attending to a hutch when his foot slipped in the groove through which the creeper passes in conveying the hutches to the screening plant. He was terribly crushed by the hutch and died almost instantaneously. Dickson, whose father is chief engineer at Cadzow Colliery, was well known and respected in the district. He was unmarried. - While conversing with a pitheadman at Bent Colliery at 6.30 yesterday morning John M'Intyre, 65, miner, 17 Kemp Street, suddenly collapsed and died. Death was due to apoplexy. [Hamilton Advertiser 22 December 1928]

23 January 1929

Fell Down Shaft - A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at Greenfield Colliery, resulting in the death of Hugh Murray, 66, a colliery fireman residing at 118 Glasgow Road, Burnbank. Murray was engaged in lowering hutches from the “ell” coal to the main seam, a distance of ten fathoms. It seems that while he was bringing a hutch to the shaft, the cage had been lowered and Murray, assuming it to be still in position, delivered the hutch, which was precipitated down the shaft, carrying the unfortunate man with it. Murray was instantaneously killed. [Hamilton Advertiser 26 January 1929]

23 January 1929

Death At Bent Colliery - About 10.40 on Wednesday morning, Daniel M'Killop, 57, an oncostman, residing at 21 Hope Street, Hamilton, died suddenly while at work in the “humph” coal seam of bent No 3 Colliery. M'Killop was engaged in his ordinary work and is believed to have been siezed with a sudden heart attack. He died within a few minutes. [Hamilton Advertiser 26 January 1929]

15 March 1929

Fatality At Cadzow Colliery - William Sheddon, 34, a married man residing at 21 Muir Street, Larkhall, was fatally injured in Cadzow Colliery on Friday last while following his employment at the coal face in the Kiltongue seam. A huge stone fell from the roof of his working place and pinned him to the pavement, the greater part of his body being caught in the fall. When he was extricated by his fellow workers, life was extinct. The body was afterwards examined by Dr Norah Steel, who certified death was due to asphyxia and shock. [Hamilton Advertiser 23 March 1929]

Fatal Accident Inquiry - Sheriff Macdonald and a jury inquired into a number of fatal accidents on Monday at the Sheriff Court, Hamilton. Formal verdicts were returned with regards to the deaths of - William Sheddon, miner, 21 Muir Street, Larkhall, who was killed on 15th March by a fall from the roof of the Kiltongue section of No 1 Pit, Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton. [Hamilton Advertiser 11 May 1929]

4 May 1929

Miner Dies From Burns - An explosion in the splint coal seam f No 3 pit, Clyde Colliery, Hamilton, on Saturday, resulted in two men - James Sneddon, 51, 95 Windsor Street, Burnbank, and Richard Callison, 51, colliery fireman, 23 Holyrood Street, Burnbank - being seriously burned about the face, arms and body. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been certified, but it is believed that the explosion resulted from accumulated gas becoming ignited. The men were attended underground by Dr Brownlie and were later removed to the Royal Infirmary. Both were badly burned and Sneddon died on Tuesday morning. He leaves a widow and one young daughter. [Hamilton Advertiser 4 May 1929]

10 October 1929

Brave Rescue Effort - Three men lost their lives in No. 1 Pit, Cadzow Colliery, near Hamilton, yesterday. They were overcome by gas after a shot had been fired. The men were:-

Robert Foster, Wilson Terrace, Cadzow (married, with a family of four.)
Robert Matthews, Camp Street, Motherwell (single.)
John Whitton, fireman, Alness Street, Hamilton ( married, with a family of four.)

The men were employed on the night shift on the Kiltongue seam in the pit , and went on duty at ten o'clock on Wednesday night. Between three and four o'clock yesterday morning, Whitton, the fireman, went forward to the section to examine a shot that had been fired. When he did not return Matthews followed. He did not reappear, and Foster went in search of him. Another man, Terence Murphy, followed Foster, but collapsed; and Charles Russell, a fifth man, discovered Murphy lying unconscious. He pulled him out of the danger area by the heels.

Men wearing gas masks descended the pit, and recovered the bodies of Foster, Matthews, and Whitton. Medical assistance was summoned, and Dr Nora Steel, of Hamilton, descended the pit.

Rescued Man's Story - Terence Murphy, who lives in Low-Waters, Hamilton, recovered consciousness some time after being rescued, and in the course of an interview he stated that work had been in progress for the driving of a mine to discover now coal. This was reached on Wednesday, and three holes had been bored for shot-firing. Ono shot had been fired by Whitton, who after a time went into the place to connect the wires for a second shot. He had been away for some time, when Matthews shouted to him and got no reply. Saying the must be something wrong, Matthews entered the section, and when he failed to appear Foster followed him. Foster then struggled out from the section and collapsed, he was dragged a short distance by Murphy, who then became unconscious. Murphy said he knew nothing more until he was brought round at the foot of the pit shaft, having been pulled clear by Charles Russell, of Wilson Terrace. Cadzow. Murphy stated that when he recovered he found that Foster had been brought into the pit shaft. He was still alive, but efforts to bring him round failed.

Tribute to Lady Doctor - Murphy spoke highly of the conduct of Dr Nora Steel, who, he learned, had gone down to the pit bottom in her ordinary garb to render every possible assistance to the gassed men. He understood that Miss Steel, on ascending to the surface after rendering all possible assistance, had suffered from bruised knees, while her clothes had been ruined.

Something Amiss - Charles Russell, who rescued Murphy from the poisonous fumes, told a thrilling story of what happened.

"Alexander Stein and I," he said, "were at the 'blind pit' when we became suddenly conscious that something was amiss. I heard Terry Murphy shouting to Stein, 'Hurry up, Sandy.' Stein and I rushed forward. We saw Terry Murphy tugging at Foster 's boots, and just then the poor fellow dropped to the ground, overcome by the poisonous air. I felt myself becoming giddy at the time, but with the help of Stein I dragged Murphy into purer air. We then started off to get help, and in the excitement I sustained a few skin abrasions by falling down the blind pit.

Pathetic Scenes - There were pathetic scenes at the colliery when the news of the tragedy became known about five o'clock in the morning. A largo crowd gathered, and the shift in the pit stopped work. The bodies of the three victims were brought to the surface about 9 o'clock. This is the second accident of the kind at Cadzow Colliery. One about a year ago caused two deaths. The accident, it is understood, was caused by an inflow of gas from a section of the colliery which has been abandoned. The section of the pit where it occurred is ventilated by tubes, and lit by electric and oil safety lamps.

Examination of Pit - An Inspector of the Mines Department was in consultation with the manager all forenoon, and shortly after one o' clock a party, including the manager, the undermanager, and the inspector, along with several men, left the colliery office and descended the mine to examine the scene of the accident. [Scotsman 11 October 1929]

Three Miners Gassed – Lanarkshire Colliery Accident
Three men lost their lives and two had narrow escapes early yesterday morning owing to the liberation of a pocket of gas in No. 1 Pit, Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, Lanarkshire. The men who were asphyxiated by the fumes were: -

John Whitton, married, a fireman, of Hamilton;
Robert Foster, a brusher, married, of Wilson-terrace, Hamilton; and
Robert Mathie, a single man, and also a brusher, of Airbles-road, Motherwell.

Terence Murphy and a young man named Irvine were rescued.  Early in the morning a shot prepared by the brushers was fired, and it is assumed now that this liberated the gas. Charles Russell, a young brusher, of Wilson-terrace, Hamilton, who was at work in the section, and who played a heroic part in rescuing Murphy and Irvine, afterwards made it clear that two of the victims might have escaped with their lives but for their helping the others in the gas-charged section. He stated: "Alexander Stein and I were at the blind pit when we .became suddenly conscious that something was amiss.” I heard Terry Murphy shouting out to Stein, “Hurry up, Sandy." Stein and I rushed forward. We saw Terry Murphy tugging at Foster's boots, and just then the poor fellow dropped, evidently overcome by the poisonous air. I felt myself becoming giddy at the time, but with the help of Stein I dragged Murphy into purer air. We saw it was useless to go further." The three victims were brought to the surface at 9 o'clock in the morning. Dr. Norah Steele had been early at the pit courageously descending to the scene and tried to restore life. The courage she displayed created a deep impression. [The Times 11 October 1929]

22 June 1930

Boilerman Suffocated – An accident, resulting in the death of John Sinclair, boiler fireman, 1 Glebe Street, Hamilton, occurred at Cadzow Colliery on Sunday, while working at the coal “gum” hopper on the pithead adjoining the coal washer, Sinclair was buried in a fall of ashes and died from suffocation. Deceased was only 19 years of age. [Hamilton Advertiser June 28 1930]

19 January 1932

While examining a new section in No. 1 Pit, Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, yesterday afternoon Mr Hugh Logan, manager of the colliery was struck by a runaway hutch and received injuries to his legs. Mr Logan had a narrow escape from death, managing to jump to the side of the roadway as the hutch bore down on him. He escaped the full force of the hutch, but was struck on the legs and hurled aside. [Scotsman 20 January 1932]

30 March 1932

Pit Fatality - John Clark, a, middle-aged miner, residing c/o Lilley, Regent Street, Hamilton, was killed instantaneously at Earnock Colliery, Burnbank yesterday , when he was struck by a stone which fell from the roof. [Scotsman 31 March 1932]

14 September 1933

Lanarkshire pit tragedy - One man killed and another injured by fall of stone - Robert Stewart (21), miner of 21 Austin Street, Cadzow, Hamilton, was killed, and David Young (59), Chapel Street, Hamilton, was seriously injured in an accident at Cadzow Colliery Hamilton, yesterday afternoon. The men were engaged, along with another miner, repairing the main road in the Kiltongue section, No. 1 Pit, when a serious fall of stone occurred. Stewart and Young were pinned beneath the stone, which weighed several tons, but the third man, David Clelland, of Hamilton, escaped with slight injury to his face.

Workmen rushed to the scene of the accident, and after great difficulty extricated the men, who were removed to the pit bottom. Stewart died shortly afterwards as a result of his injuries, while Young was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary suffering from compound fractures of both legs. [15th September 1933]

20 March 1934

James Hamilton, a miner was killed and William Inglis, another miner, was seriously injured at Quarter Colliery, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, on Tuesday night, when a large stone fell and crushed them [Times 22 March 1934]

17 March 1935

Miner Killed and Two Others Injured at Ferniegair- One man was killed and two were injured in an accident at Ferniegair Colliery, near Hamilton, last night. The dead man was John Rundell, 111 Muir Street, Larkhall, and the injured are Robert Crichton, of Williams Place, Ferniegair, and Andrew Taylor, 213 Carlisle Road, Ferniegair.

The men were at work in the main coal seam when a fall of stone occurred about 6.45, Rundell was crushed against the coal cutting machine and received head injuries from which he died almost immediately. Crichton and Taylor were pinned to the floor, and it was only after two hours' effort by their workmates that they were extricated. It was then found they were suffering from injuries to the back. After being medically attended they were taken home.

As a result of the accident the miners stopped work in sympathy and the colliery will be idle today.

Rundell was 36 years of age and leaves a widow and three children. [Scotsman 18 March 1935]

24 April 1935

Miner's Death - Found Semi-Conscious After Pit-Bottom Search - The death this week of Hugh Bradley, an elderly miner residing at Limekilburn Road, Quarter, near Hamilton, occurred in unusual circumstances. Bradley was employed at Quarter colliery, and until last week was apparently in the best of health. On Wednesday last he descended the pit, but failed to return to the pit bottom on Thursday morning at the end of his shift. A search was made and Bradley was discovered lying in a semi-conscious condition near the coal face. He was hastily removed to the surface, where he was medically examined, and then conveyed home. Though able to speak, Bradley was unable to say what had happened to him, and he remained in a semi-conscious condition until his death. It is understood that death was due to shock.. No evidence of an accident at the coal face has been found. Bradley, who was 61 years of age, is survived by a widow and an adopted daughter. [Scotsman 25 April 1935]

31 March 1937

As the result of a fall which occurred in Easton Pit, Bathgate, which is owned by Wm. Baird & Co. (Ltd.), George M'Callum (34), a coal cutter, was killed instantly. It is believed that he was struck by a steel prop. M'Callum's brother, who was working with him at the time of the accident, was fortunate to be clear of the fall. Both men, who resided in lodgings in Bathgate, and whose home address is 24 Clyde Avenue, Ferniegair, - Lanarkshire, began work in Easton Pit only three weeks ago [Scotsman 1 April 1937]

5 September 1937

A High Blantyre man, Archibald Campbell (45), 401 Main Street, was killed and two other miners were injured when an accident occurred yesterday at Earnock Colliery, Hamilton. The injured men are James Russell (22), 15 Waverley Street, Dunbank, Hamilton (fracture of the left arm and injuries to body), and John Gaffney (33), 41 Kenilworth Crescent, Dunbank, Hamilton (injuries to right side and thigh.) The injured men were removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

The accident occurred when the men were just about to finish their shift at the colliery yesterday afternoon. They were engaged in the blackband section, and were moving a conveyer engine nearer the coal face, when a large stone fell from the roof. Campbell was crushed to the ground while Russell and Gaffney were struck by the stone. The two injured men just escaped death as the stone struck the conveyer engine, which served to prevent it from failing squarely upon them.

A fourth man, James Walsh (25), 16 Purdie Street, Dunbank, Hamilton, also had a narrow escape. He was sitting beside Campbell , but the stone did not strike him in its fall. Walsh immediately went to his comrades' aid, and was assisted by other men working nearby. It was fully two hours, however, before they were able to extricate Campbell and the injured men. The stone measured 10 feet by 2 feet in thickness, and weighed about a ton. It was learned that the men had been employed in this section about only three weeks. [Scotsman 6 September 1937]

Workmates' Tribute To Dead Miner - As a mark of sympathy for their dead comrade, the miners at Earnock Colliery, Hamilton, yesterday had an idle day, following the accident at the colliery on Sunday when a miner was killed and two were injured by a fall of stone. Mr James M'Kendrick, general secretary of the Lanarkshire Miners' Union, visited the colliery yesterday, and inspected the working place in his capacity as legal adviser to the workmen. [Scotsman 7 September 1937]

27 November 1937

One man was killed and two others were injured when a fall of roof occurred at Earnock Colliery, Hamilton, on Saturday. The dead man is Thomas Wilson (33), who resided at 2 Kenilworth Crescent, Hamilton; while those injured are William M'Lean, colliery fireman, Argyll Buildings Earnock Road, Burnbank Hamilton; and Walter Winning , Station Road, Blantyre. M'Lean suffered injuries to his legs and shoulder while Winning was injured on the back and legs. The injured men were removed to their homes after receiving medical attention at the pit bottom. They are reported to be progressing favourably. Wilson was married only a year ago. He leaves a widow and one child. Wilson and Winning were employed as miner's in the Splint coal section of No. 3 pit. About eight o'clock on Saturday morning they were joined by M'Lean who was making his customary inspection of the working places. Without warning the timber supporting the roof collapsed and struck the three men, throwing them to the ground. Part of the roof also gave way and the debris fell on top of the timber which had already trapped the men. Wilson was smothered while Winning and M'Lean were trapped by wood and stone. The total weight of the debris amounted to several tons. Workmen in the vicinity rushed to the scene and worked frantically to extricate their colleagues. After half an hour Winning and M'Lean were dragged out. Subsequently Wilson was also dragged out, but it was found that he was dead. [Scotsman 29 November 1937]

25 December 1937

Colliery Fire Sequel - Miner Who was Overcome by Fumes Dies from After-Effects - Another of the miners who, on Christmas Day last, was overcome by fumes in Earnock Colliery, Burnbank, Hamilton, has died. He was Alexander Young, 76 Albert Buildings, Burnbank. It will be recalled that, on Christmas Eve, a fire broke out underground in the colliery. Along with others Young was endeavouring to put out the flames when he was overcome by fumes containing white damp. He and sixteen others were rescued from the workings . Since then Young was receiving medical attention and had been unable to resume work. On Friday he was taken to Udston Hospital, where he died from an attack of pneumonia. About a month ago, the undermanager at the colliery, John Lowe, who was also affected by the fumes passed away. Young was married, and is survived by his widow and family. [7 March 1938]

John Lowe died 2 January 1938
Alexander Brown Young died 6 March 1938

3 June 1938

Collapsed and Died In Pit - When proceeding to his work on the night shift at Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, last night, John Fraser, 7a Strathaven Road, Hamilton, collapsed in the main haulage road underground. Before Fraser could be taken to the surface he died. [Scotsman 4 June 1938]

2 October 1938

Four Miners Rescued - Overcome by Gas in Colliery – Workmates' Brave Efforts - The lives of four miners were endangered by an accumulation of gas at a section of Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, the property of the Bent colliery Co., yesterday afternoon. The four men who escaped with slight shock and sickness , and were able to walk home, were: - Hugh Loney, Wylie Street; William Frew, Neilsland Drive, Meikle Earnock ; James Johnstone, Eddlewood; and Walter Parkinson, Dechmont Street, all of Hamilton.

For over an hour there were grave fears that three of the men were trapped, and the Lanarkshire Miners' Rescue Brigade was summoned from Coatbridge. Valiant efforts were made by workmates led by the colliery fireman, John Logan, to reach the three men, but the workmen were driven back by the fumes.

The four miners concerned were driving a mine near the main haulage section about noon when a pocket of gas gathered at the entrance to the place where the men were employed. The gas did not penetrate to the actual working place, and remained unnoticed until William Frew went to the main haulage road to obtain a pit prop. He encountered the gas, and immediately became unwell. He managed however, to struggle through to a place with purer air and on recovering gave the alarm to other workmen. Fireman John Logan, on learning that the other men were still engaged near the gas pocket, instructed the Lanarkshire Miners' Rescue Brigade to be summoned, and in the meantime he and other workmen tried to reach the section where Loney, Parkinson and Johnstone were still working.

In the interval. Johnstone had noticed that his workmate Frew had not returned, and went to look for him. He also encountered the gas, and was almost overcome, but managed to struggle through to safety. After a short period. Loney and Parkinson made their way to the main haulage road, and became affected by the gas. As they struggled through they were met by the rescue brigade, who assisted them to the pit bottom. Loney, who is an elderly man, was most affected by the fumes. After receiving medical attention, all the men were able to proceed home.[Scotsman 3 October 1938]

14 January 1943

Fatal Colliery Accident – Hugh Davies, 41, pony driver, has been killed in No 2 Pit, Cadzow Colliery, Hamilton, by a fall of stone from the roof. A married man with family, he lived at Mill Road, Hamilton. [Scotsman 16 January 1943]