New Monkland Accidents 1901 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.
23 April 1901
Avonhead - Miner Injured - On Tuesday evening a brusher named James Little (24), residing at Low Avonhead Rows, was engaged brushing on the roadhead about four feet from the working face of the splint coal in No 4 pit Avonhead, when a stone weighing about 10 cwts fell upon and crushed him to the ground. His right side and left leg were severely bruised, and he was also injured internally. He was attended by Dr Allan. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 27 April 1901]
23 April 1901
Whiterigg - Pit Accident - James Johnston (31), a miner, Airdriehill Square, Whiterigg, met with an accident about 11am on Tuesday, while engaged at work at the coal face of No 2 Stanrigg Colliery, occupied by Wm Black and Sons. A fall of stone weighing about a ton came away unexpectedly from the roof and fractured his left leg. He was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 27 April 1901]
11 January 1902
Fatal Accident Inquiries - Yesterday Sheriff Mair and a jury held five fatal accident inquiries under the Fatal Accident Inquiry Act in regard to the circumstances attending the accidents to five persons. There were present and engaged in the cases Mr A D Lindsay, P.F., Messrs Atkinson and Pearson, HM Inspectors of Mines, Mr J Dunn Russell, solicitor, and Mr Anderson, representing the Enginekeepers' Association.
An Engineman's Death - A case from Longriggend was inquired into, that in which Wm Bryce, winding engineman, Nimmo's Rows, met his death at Meadowfield Colliery, of Wm Black & Sons, on Saturday, 11th January. Bryce was acting as winding engineman at the colliery and had charge of both hauling and winding engines. A pithead worker named Bridget Caughy and he were the only persons at the pithead. The girl had occasion to go and oil the pulley wheels, and when she was away the haulage rope stopped. She did not take any notice of this however, as she thought it was for want of waggons. When she went back, however, she saw Bryce lying between the wheel of the haulage rope and the beam, while the steam was escaping from the engine. She spoke to him but got no answer. She ran and got assistance, when it was found that he had been caught and crushed between the beam and the wheel. It appeared as if he had been on the beam sorting something at the wheel when his foot slipped and he had been caught and crushed. He was quite dead when taken out. As in the other cases, jury returned a formal verdict. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 8 February 1902]
3 February 1902
Greengairs – Serious Accident At Pithead – James Waugh, 48, colliery oversman, residing at Upperton, met with an accident at Langdales Colliery, Greengairs, occupied by John Nimmo & Son Ltd, on Monday. The pit in question has stopped working, and Waugh, along with two other men, was engaged taking down a pithead scaffold which was supported by trestles. The trestles, after being stripped of the planking forming the pithead floor, were pulled over by means of a rope attached to the top of them. When the trestle fell the end of a baton plank, 18 ft by 8in by 3in, which was nailed across the top of the trestles, struck the ground with such force that it sprung the nails with which it was fastened, rebounded in the air and struck Waugh on the head, knocking him to the ground. He was picked up in a dazed condition and assisted home. Dr Young, Limerigg, who was in attendance, found him suffering from a severe wound on the top of the head, accompanied by fracture of the frontal bone, and a severe wound on the left temple. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 8 February 1902]
11 February 1902
Airdrie – Fall Down a Shaft – A man named John Nicol, residing at South Nimmo Street, was severely injured in one of the Gartness Coal Coy's pits on Thursday. He was being lowered down the shaft in the cage when, in consequence of ice, the cage stuck. Apparently the engineman was not aware of anything wrong and continued the unwinding of the rope. The result was that when the ice was cleared the cage dropped to the bottom, a distance of some 12 fathoms, causing rather severe injuries to its occupant. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 15 February 1902]
The Fall Down a Shaft – Sir – Would you be so kind as insert in the first issue of the Airdrie Advertiser a few facts in regard to the report in connection with Gartness Coal Company's pit ( in your issue of last Saturday) which is extremely misleading. In the first place I make every allowance for the injured man, if he made any statement not strictly correct owing to his presnt state of mind. But it must be distinctly understood that he went into the shaft for the purpose of clearing the ice, and after being at the operation for a short time I got the usual signal to descend, and while the engine was still in motion, and before getting any signal to stop I felt a severe surge. Then I immediately stopped the engine to ascertain the cause. Instead of the cage dropping 12 fathoms, as stated, it fell 6 feet or thereabouts. Now in fairness to all concerned I hope you can find space for this in you first issue. - I am, &c., Alex. P. Davidson, Fairview, Colliertree Road, Airdrie. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 22 February 1902]
26 February 1902
Plains – Colliery Accident – Patrick O'Shea, 22, miner, Hill's Land, Plains, was injured in Brownieside Colliery on Wednesday. He was in the act of filling his loose coals into a hutch, when unexpectedly a large stone, about 6 cwts, came away upon him from the roof, which is only 2 1/2 feet high, crushing him to the ground. His fellow workmen got the stone removed, and he was assisted home, where, on being attended by Dr Lockhart, he was found to have sustained a severe bruising on the back. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 1 March 1902]
13 March 1902
Greengairs – Miner Injured – On Thursday morning, Adam Gilmour, 26, miner, Greengairs, while engaged at the coal face of No 3 Meikle Drumgray pit, belonging to the Darngavil Coal Coy, sustained severe injuries by a stone of 5cwts falling upon him from the roof on his left side. Dr Kirkland found that he had a severe injury to the spinal cord, and had him sent to the Royal Infirmary in the Airdrie Ambulance waggon. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 22 March 1902]
10 May 1902
Fatal Fall – As we reported in our Wednesday issue, William Patrick (28), residing within the Rochsolloch Model Lodging House, met with an accident on the scaffold on the hutch road leading from the pithead to the dirt hill at No 10 pit, Rosehall Colliery, Old Monkland, belonging to R Addie & Sons Ltd. Patrick, who was employed running hutches at the pithead, had gone out to the scaffold to get fresh air while the men were being drawn up from the pit. He had leant with his arms on the wooden railing when it gave way, with the result that he fell head foremost to the ground, a distance of about 20 feet. Alighting on his head, he sustained a fracture of the skull and was rendered unconscious. He was attended to by Dr Macphail, Whifflet, and removed in the ambulance waggon to the Alexander Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 17 May 1902]
Fatal Accident Inquiries – Yesterday in the Sheriff Court, Sheriff Mair and a jury held inquiries regarding the deaths by accident of three persons in the District. Mr A D Lindsay, P.F., acted for the Crown and Mr W Dixon Gray was Sheriff Clerk Depute.
Curious Occurrence At Rosehall – The first inquiry was as to the death of William Patrick, labourer, Rochsolloch Model Lodginghouse, Airdrie. Mr D L Smith appeared for the owners, and Mr James Bell for the relatives. It appears that deceased's death took place on 15th May in the Alexander Hospital of injuries sustained at No 10 pit, Rosehall Colliery, Old Monkland on 10th May. He was a labourer and his duties consisted of running hutches of dirt and coal from the pithead to the hill. About 1pm he was so engaged. As men were being raised to the hill his work with the hutches was temporarily stopped, and he seems to have leaned against the railing that guards the scaffolding with the result that the railing gave way and he was precipitated to the ground, a distance of 20 feet 6in. When picked up he was unconscious, and subsequently died in hospital. Mr Bell elicited that it was the duty of the manager to have seen that the railing was sufficient. The jury returned an ordinary verdict that deceased while employed as a labourer, met his death by having fallen from the scaffold of the hutch road to the ground, a distance of about 20 feet, and been seriously injured. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 31 May 1902]
24 May 1902
Terrible fall in a pit shaft- On Saturday morning Thomas McConville, 35, boiler fireman at No 2 pit, Stanrigg Colliery near Airdrie, accidentally fell down a portion of the shaft and was killed. He had gone down on the cage to adjust a water tap in the shaft, and was putting his foot out onto a ledge when he missed his footing and fell to the sumph, about 500 feet below and was killed on the spot. [Herald May 26 1902]
9 February 1903
Yesterday morning an explosion of fire damp occurred in the Victor Emmanuel Pit, Whiterigg belonging to the United Collieries Ltd, whereby one man lost his life and another was seriously injured. It appears that John and Harry Kelly, brothers, had descended on Sunday night, and were in the act of taking away some hutches when the naked light on Johns cap ignited some fire damp that appeared to have accumulated, the result being an explosion by which John was killed and Harry badly burned about the face, hands and other exposed parts. Harry was removed in the Airdrie Ambulance waggon to the Alexander Hospital. John leaves a wife and three children. [Herald February 10 1903]
7 May 1903
Pit Fatality at Calderbank - A pit drawer named David McGuigan, 19, residing at Peep O'Day, Calderbank, has been killed while at work at No 1 Woodhall Colliery, belonging to Barr & Higgins. While in the main dook of the lower Drumgray seam a stone weighing half a ton fell upon him and crushed him to death. [Herald May 9 1903]
8 October 1903
Three Miners Killed Near Airdrie - This forenoon three miners named John M'Donald, his son, John M'Donald, jun., residing in North Bridge Street, Airdrie, and Philip Jarvie, Wellwynd, Airdrie, were accidentally killed in No. 11 Pit, Monkland Colliery, Calderbank. M'Donald, jun., it appears, had been buried in a fall from the roof, when his father and Jarvie went to the rescue, the fall coming down upon and burying them. All three died before they were extricated. [Edinburgh Evening News 8 October 1903]
20 August 1904
Man Killed in Calderbank Pit - On Thursday a sad accident happened in No 3 pit, Calderbank Colliery. A young man named William Allan was at work in the mine when a heavy fall came away from the roof, in which he was completely buried. Before he could be extricated life was extinct. Deceased, who lived at Rawyards, was only 33 years of age and leaves a widow and family. [Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser 20 August 1904]
2 June 1906
Fatal Firedamp Explosion At Glenboig – On Saturday morning, an explosion took place in the Star Pit of the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, whereby one man, Joseph Wallace, the under manager, lost his life, and three others sustained injuries, namely – James Gibson, roadsman; and Simon Peter, a Pole, both of whom were severely burned, and a boy, who had his fingers crushed. The men had been driving a mine through a whinstone dyke, when an accumulation of firedamp or gas was ignited by their naked lamps. Wallace had been killed by the concussion of the explosion, and being knocked against the pump beams, his neck being dislocated and his skull fractured. The injured men were conveyed to the Alexander Hospital. [Scotsman 4 June 1906]
5 August 1909
Mining Accident in Lanarkshire – Four Lives Lost - Four men were killed by a fall of clay yesterday afternoon in one of the mines owned by the Glenboig Union Fire-Clay Company situated at Glenboig, about eight miles from Glasgow. The accident occurred in a. portion of the mine known by the workers as an "ingoing eye" - that is to say, a working running directly into the side of the hill. There were six men employed "at the face," and a shot had been placed in position for firing. They retired for some distance, and the shot went off satisfactorily. However, they had just returned to resume operations, when, without warning, a portion of the roof, weighing about twenty tons, fell in. Fortunately for two of the men they were clear of the debris , but the other four were entombed beneath the huge mass of clay. Word of what had happened was at once communicated to the officials, and Mr Macintyre, mine manager, and a number of workmen hurried to the spot, and set about the work of extrication. This was a task of considerable difficulty for although the road was clear, the quantity of fallen clay was so great that it was about an hour before the first of the four men was reached and brought out, and another hour elapsed before the work of removing the bodies was completed. One of the men was terribly crushed in by a piece of rock weighing about five tons, and all of them were badly battered. It was at once realised that life was extinct in each case, and the opinion was expressed by Dr Moffatt, of Glenboig who was early in attendance, that death must have been instantaneous. The bodies were removed to the carpenters' shop, and later taken to the respective homes of the deceased. The names of the four killed are:-
Joseph Anderson, 35, who resided at 6 Ashbank, Glenboig.
William Allan, 34,19 Main Street, Coatbridge.
William Taylor, 25, Whitedyke Cottage, Glenboig
Patrick Canavan, 17,10 Chapelbank, Glenboig.
Anderson, Allan, and Taylor were married men.
Pathetic Scenes - News of the accident rapidly spread throughout the village, and in a short time a large crowd of villagers, the greater number of whom were women, assembled at the mine. As the bodies were brought out and the victims recognised, there were pathetic scenes, as among the crowd were many friends and relatives of the deceased. A little boy who was standing watching the proceedings exclaimed, as Andersen's body was placed on the ground, "Oh, that's ma faither," and ran home crying bitterly. Another touching circumstance is that Mrs Taylor only on Wednesday gave birth to a child, and when the sad news reached her she was thrown into a fit of hysterics.
Mr James Donnachie, managing director of the company, received information of the accident while he was visiting Glasgow, and. he at once proceeded by motor car to Glenboig, and superintended the work of recovering the bodies. In an interview with a Scotsman representative, he said that he could not quite understand the cause of the accident. The shot fired was of the usual kind, and men had taken the usual precaution of examining the roof before resuming work. This was the most serious accident that had taken place in the mine within his experience of fifty years, and it was the only case of the kind in that mine.
Mr Donnachie has informed Mr M'Laren, H.M. Inspector of Mines, Edinburgh, of the affair, and it is expected that that gentleman will proceed to Glenboig today to inquire into the circumstances. Immediately after the accident, the relatives of the victims were visited by Mrs Donnachie.
Another correspondent writes:- It appears that a shot had just been fired in the the mine and on the men returning to the face, the roof gave way, and four men were instantly buried in the debris. Other two miners who were near at hand. miraculously escaped without a scratch, and they intermediately set to work to relieve their comrades. When the four men were extricated, life was found to be extinct. The utmost excitement prevailed in the village. Mr James Donnachie, chairman and managing director of the Fire-Clay Company, who had been at Glasgow, just returned in time to see the dead bodies being raised to the surface, and he lent every possible aid in the work. Mr Baxter, mine manager, and Dr Moffatt also did everything that was possible to assist the two surviving workmen. [Scotsman 6 August 1909]
1 January 1913
Whiterigg - Fatal Pit Accident - On Monday evening a man named Michael Costello, 30 years of age, residing at North Stanrigg, sustained serious injuries while at work in Meadowhead Pit, worked by Mr Peter Cairns. It appears a shot was being got ready for blasting the rock, and Costello had been near when it went off. One of his arms was broken, and some of his fingers were blown off while he was seriously injured about the eyes, head and chest. He was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, in the Airdrie ambulance waggon, and succumbed to his injuries there on New Year's morning, about 8 a.m. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 4 January 1913]
26 February 1913
Octogenarian's Accidental Death. - An old man named Robert Clark (82), a retired shepherd, residing with his son-in-law at Main Street, Chapelhall , came by a sad end on Wednesday. He is supposed to have been crossing a hutch road loading to the pithead of No. 5 pit, Dunsyston colliery, Chapelhall, when he became entangled between the haulage chain and the ground, and was dragged by the chain, which was in motion, for ten yards along the hutchway. The old man was badly cut and injured and died almost immediately. [Scotsman 28 February 1913]
19 December 1913
Fatal fall down a pit shaft - Yesterday morning, William Cowan, miner, residing in the Airdrie, was accidentally killed in the shaft of No. 1, Woodhall Colliery. He had been standing on a plank doing some repairs in the shaft, when the bunting on which the plank rested gave way and he was precipitated to the bottom, and killed. He leaves a widow and eight children. [Scotsman 20 December 1913]
17 January 1915
Longriggend – Serious Colliery Accident – On Sunday a man named James R Hamilton, 37, residing at Telegraph Road, Longriggend, was seriously injured at the bottom of Giffnock Colliery, belonging to the Giffnock Coal Company Limited. He was engaged with other putting up props when a cross beam of iron fell on him and crushed him severely. The doctor in attendance stated that his spine was injured. He was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 23 January 1915]
21 January 1915
Airdrie – Mine Accident – On Thursday forenoon a miner named Thomas Brown, 12 South Commonhead Avenue met with an accident while engaged on the main road about 12 yards from the mine mouth of the Rochsoles Coal Mine Glenmavis, occupied by the Rochsoles Coal Company. Brown had been engaged as a chain runner being in charge of loaded hutches drawn by a haulage rope from the mine by an engine on the surface. When about 15 yards from the mine mouth the rope jerked and he accidentally fell in front of the hutch and was jammed beneath it. The engineman, thinking something had caught the hutches, stopped the engine and Brown shouting for assistance brought workmen to his aid who lifted the hutches off him. On being brought to the engine house he was examined by Dr Rae, Airdrie, who found him suffering from a fracture of the middle of the right femur and bruises on the side and body. He ordered his removal to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, where he was conveyed in the Airdrie ambulance waggon. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 23 January 1915]
10 July 1915
Gartgill - Fatal Colliery Accident - In Messrs William Baird & Co's Bedlay Colliery on Saturday, James Adamson (25), who resided at Gartgill, had just taken in his first hutch to the coal face when there was a fall of material from the side of the workings, which knocked him down and buried him. A fellow-workman, named David Paterson, who also resides at Gartgill, was knocked down at the same time, but was only partially covered by the debris and managed to extricate himself. A large stone, weighing over a couple of tons, had to be smashed up before Adamson could be reached, and he was then found to be dead. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 17 July 1915]
1 August 1915
Airdrie – Wester Moffat Pit Fatality – About midnight on Sunday, Thomas Henry Dewar, 45, boiler fireman, residing at Forrest Street, Clarkston, accidentally fell down the shaft of Wester Moffat Colliery and was killed. H had been engaged placing hutches on the cage to be raised to the pithead when he overbalanced and fell down the shaft, his fall being about 120 feet. Death was instantaneous. Deceased was a married man and is survived by a widow and two children. He was a native of Tillicoultry and his remains were interred there on Thursday. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 7 August 1915]
24 November 1915
Glenmavis – Colliery Accident - A miner named Wm Anderson, residing at 35 Flowerhill Street, Airdrie, met with an accident on Wednesday of last week while employed holing coal at the face, about 400 yards from the mine mouth of No 3 Gunnie Coal Mine, Glenmavis, owned by the Blacklands Coal Coy., Coatbridge. It appears that he had been working by himself at the Kiltongue coal face when about half a ton of coal and dirt came away from the coal face. The fall pinned him to the ground until other workmen came to his assistance and took the debris off him. He was then conveyed in a hutch to the hill and taken home in a cab. He was examined by Dr Cowie, and found to be suffering from a fractured collar bone and bruises on left leg. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 27 November 1915]
24 November 1915
Glenboig – Miners Entombed At Bedlay – Man Suffocated – Two Others Injured – An accident involving the death of one man and injury to two others occurred at one of the pits at the Bedlay Collieries, Glenboig on Tuesday. The collieries, which are owned by Messrs William Baird & Co Ltd, are situated almost two miles to the north east of the village of Glenboig. In the course of the forenoon it was learned that a portion of the roof in Pit No 1 had fallen in, imprisoning two men who were working there at the time. When it became known that an accident had happened, efforts were promptly mad to rescue the entombed men. Their plight was rendered extremely dangerous owing to the fact that they were shut off from escape and that there was no ventilation to relieve the atmosphere in the portion involved. Some time elapsed before the rescuers were able to penetrate the debris, and by that time one of the men had succumbed to the gas which had generated in the workings. Another of the men was suffering seriously, and it was not until artificial respiration had been applied for almost two hours that his condition was such as to allow of his removal to hospital. As is not infrequently the case in pit accidents, the rescue party experienced considerable risk in their work. In this case the manager of the pit, Mr Murray, took part in the operations and suffered in some measure before he was compelled to quit owing to the effect of the gas. The miner who succumbed was John Hunter, and elderly man, who resided at Annathill Rows. Two of his sons were working in the collieries when the accident happened. The injured were John Bolland (married) and John Crawley (married) both residing at Annathill Rows and the manager, Mr Murray, who resides not far from the pit.
Coatbridge Rescue Brigade At Work – The accident, it is believed, occurred about eleven o'clock. It was only when the drawer of the hutches found the passage blocked that the management was apprised that something was wrong. Dr Moffat, Glenboig and Dr Andrew Maguire, Stepps, were summoned to the scene and rescue work was organised. The assistance of the rescue brigade stationed at Coatbridge was requisitioned. The brigade was established several months ago by the Lanarkshire mineowners under the Mines Regulations Act, and this was the first call made on its services. The members of the brigade, under Superintendent Welsh, motored to the scene, carrying with them all the equipment and apparatus for rescue operations. It is stated that when they arrived the two injured miners had already been removed outwith the zone of danger, but their life saving apparatus was made use of in the treatment of the men affected. Mr Murray, who only recently became manager of the pit, joined the local rescue party, and later Dr Maguire descended the pit to give the necessary treatment to Bolland, whose condition was critical for a time. Before two o'clock the dead body of Hunter was brought to the surface, and some time elapsed before it was found possible to remove Bolland. He was conveyed to Alexander Hospital, Coatbridge, where he was detained for treatment. Crawley, the third man, was able to walk home. The manager's condition was more serious. He collapsed while down the pit, and had to be carried on a stretcher to his home. Bolland's condition was last night reported to be much improved. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 27 November 1915]
Glasgow Jury And Miners' Bravery – A Fatal Accidents Inquiry into the death of John Hunter a coal-miner, in the employment of Messrs William Baird & Co., which took place in Bedlay, colliery, Glenboig, on November 24th was held yesterday at Glasgow before. Sheriff Moncrieff and a jury. The evidence showed that Hunter and another man were engaged in repairing a subsidence, when a further fall led them to take refuge in a disused road in which gas had accumulated. Both men were overcome, and Hunter never regained consciousness. The jury, in returning a formal verdict, expressed, admiration of the brave attempts made by several workmen to rescue Hunter and his companion.[Scotsman 10 December 1915]
17 February 1916
Greengairs – Mining Accident – John Stewart, 28, miner, Rankin's Rows, Greengairs, met with an accident on Thursday night while engaged at work in the Ladygrange seam of No 4 Pit, Darngavil Colliery. He was pulling a loaded hutch up an incline known as the Cuddy Brae when a stone weighing about half a cwt, fell from the roof, a distance of about 6 feet, catching his left hand and causing a compound fracture of the thumb and a cut on the back of his head. He was attended by Dr Rae who ordered him to go to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where his thumb was amputated. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 19 February 1916]
9 June 1916
Greengairs – Colliery Accident – About 12.15 pm on Friday, George Montgomery a boy of 14 years and 7 months, residing at Loanhead, Greengairs, met with an accident while at work in the lower lime coal seam in the Bogside Colliery Greengairs, owned and worked by the Bogside Coal Coy Ltd, 52 St Enoch Square, Glasgow. A fall of stone took place from a lype, weighing about 1 1/2 cwts. It came away suddenly from the roof of his working place and crushed and pinned him to the pavement. The stone having been removed from the top of him, he was taken to the surface in an empty hutch, and thence carried to his home in a stretcher. He was there attended by Dr Rae Airdrie, who found him suffering from a partial dislocation of one of the vertebrae bones of the vertebrae column and ordered his removal to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, to which institution he was removed in the Airdrie motor ambulance waggon. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 10 June 1916]
22 December 1916
Calderbank – Sudden Death – Thomas Scott, 43 years of age, a miner, 108 Main Street, Calderbank, died suddenly on his way to his working place within the Faskine Coal Mine, Calderbank, about 6.50 yesterday morning. He was along with another workman on his way to his work and complained to his companion that he was feeling ill. He sat down and suddenly expired. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 23 December 1916]
24 July 1917
Caldercruix Fatal Colliery Accident - Thomas Welsh (57), miner, Roughrigg Row, Longriggend, met with a fatal accident about 5 a.m. on Tuesday while working in Lochend Colliery, Caldercruix, New Monkland, owned by James Nimmo & Co., Ltd. It appears from inquiry made that the deceased and a man Campbell had been engaged brushing. About 11.15 they fired a shot, and while they were clearing away the dirt knocked off the roof by the shot Campbell, who was working about three yards away from the deceased, heard a wheezing noise, and, thinking that something had happened to the deceased, he hurried to see what was the cause of the sound. He found Welsh lying on the ground on his right side, with a stone weighing about 6 cwt. lying on his body and head. Campbell ran for assistance, and with others got the stone removed. Welsh, however, had expired. The body was conveyed to the pithead and it was taken to his home in a cart. Dr Young, Slamannan, who examined the body, certified death as due to injuries to head and body and suffocation. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 28 July 1917]
14 October 1917
Fatal Pit Accident At Caldercruix – Archibald Buchanan (33), a miner residing at Dawson's Land, Plains, was accidentally killed while holing coal at the face in connection with the coal-cutter in Barblues Colliery on Sunday night. [Scotsman 16 October 1917]
6 January 1919
Patrick Nash (50), miner, 8 Airdriehill Square, Whiterigg was killed in Ballochney Mine there by a fall of about a ton of coal from the roof. [Scotsman 8 January 1919]
31 March 1919
William Wilson (28), assistant pit bottomer, 47 Alexander Street, Airdrie, was accidentally killed by falling from the cage to the sump in Woodhall colliery, belonging to Barr & Higgins (Ltd.) [Scotsman 2 April 1919]
7 September 1919
Airdrie Colliery Fatality - Robert Johnston (27), underground colliery fireman in Messrs Strain Bros. No. 8 Kippsbyre Pit, Airdrie, was killed at a junction of hutch rails in the workings in that mine by some hutches jumping the metals and running upon him, death being instantaneous. He sustained concussion of the brain and crushing of the wall of the chest. [Scotsman 8 September 1919]
17 December 1919
Drowned in a Colliery Pond – John Hamilton (21), colliery engineman, residing at 172 Forrest Street, Airdrie, was found drowned in the boiler feed pond at No 1 Ardenrigg Colliery, Wester Moffat, Airdrie. [Scotsman 22 December 1919]
18 August 1920
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal to John Shields in the following circumstances: -
On August 18th, 1920, while seven men were working on a seam of the Darngavil Colliery, Lanarkshire, there was a considerable inrush of surface water into the shafts. The pump at the bottom of the shaft was unable to cope with the water, which was pouring in at the rate of 1,200 gallons a minute, and there was every possibility of the men at work in the seam being cut off. The engineman at the surface realised what had happened and at once ran to inform Shields, a miner who lived close by. Shields immediately descended the shaft, proceeded alone into the workings and brought out the men. While the water had not reached any great depth when Shields descended, it was constantly rising, and he could have no idea as to when it would close the entrance to the seam.. Shields did not hesitate to risk his life to save others, and his action was a very brave one.[London Gazette 5 May 1922]
10 September 1921
Chapelhall Miner Killed - James Reilly, miner, who resided at Chapelhall, has been fatally injured by a fall from the roof in the Bedlay Pit Annathill. He was in the act of finishing his shift for the day when the fall took took place. [Scotsman 13 September 1921]
17 January 1922
Miner Killed While Attempting Rescue – An accident occurred in Giffnock Colliery, Whiterigg, near Airdrie, resulting in the death of a miner named George Stevenson (42), who resided with his widowed mother in Mack Street, Airdrie. A man named Thomas Lundie, residing at Greyrigg, had been pinned to the pavement by a stone which fell from the roof, and Stevenson was in the act of endeavouring to rescue him from his perilous position when he was caught in another heavy fall from the roof, and almost instantaneously killed. Lundie was afterwards extricated, and conveyed home suffering from severe crushing.[Scotsman 19 January 1922]
19 March 1923
Scaffolding Collapses - Five Men Injured Near Airdrie - The scaffolding erected over the mouth of the dross-pit at No. 1 Woodhall Colliery, Calderbank, Airdrie, suddenly collapsed while five workmen were standing upon it engaged in the erection of elevator plant. The men and the heavy iron plant were precipitated into the dross-pit, 16 feet deep, immediately underneath. They were severely crushed, but beyond superficial bruises, they escaped serious injury. Their escape was quite remarkable when it is mentioned that the iron framework fell on the top of the scaffolding, on which the men were borne down. The names of the men are:- Thomas Kirkwood, Lauchope Street, Chapelhall; Wm. Stevenson, Main Street, Chapelhall; Arthur Miller, Russell Street, Chapelhall; and John Cronan, Woodwark Street, Chapelhall; and Samuel Walker, Mack Street, Airdrie. [Scotsman 20 March 1923]
29 December 1923
Waggon Filler Killed at Woodhall Colliery - On Saturday a man named Alexander Barclay, about 65 years of ago, employed as a waggon filler at Woodhall Colliery (Barr & Higgins , Ltd.), Calderbank, lost his life on a line of railway at the colliery. He had been underneath a stationary waggon clearing out some dross that had fallen between the rails when several other waggons were shunted up against the stationary one, and in an attempt to got clear Barclay was run over and instantaneously killed. He was unmarried, and lived in Calderbank with a brother. [Scotsman 31 December 1923]
Sad Fatality - On Saturday forenoon a sad accident happened at the pithead of Woodhall Colliery, belonging to Messrs Barr and Higgins, Ltd. A waggon-filler named Alexander Barclay, who resided with his brother in Main Street, Calderbank was engaged in cleaning dross that had fallen on the rails of a line at the colliery, when a stationery waggon was unexpectedly moved along by other waggons being shunted against it. The unfortunate man endeavoured to get clear but the waggon knocked him down, and, falling on the rail he was badly crushed at the shoulders. Death was instantaneous. The deceased, who was over• 60 years of age, was much respected in the district [Motherwell Times 4 January 1924]
26 April 1924
Airdrie Miner's Fatal Injuries - A miner named James Jack (36), residing at Clark Street, Airdrie, who was severely crushed by a fall from the roof in Burniebrae Pit (James Dunlop & Co., Ltd.), Chapelhall, near Airdrie, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary shortly after his admission to that institution Deceased was unmarried, and lived with his parents. [Scotsman 28 April 1924]
2 July 1924
Miner Fatally Burned At Airdrie - William Black, mine fireman, Towers Road, Clarkston, Airdrie, died yesterday in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary from burning injuries sustained on Monday in Calderrig Colliery of the Hillrigg Coal Company (Ltd.). He had been in the act of inspecting the anthracite section when the naked light in his cap ignited a quantity of gas which had accumulated. [Scotsman 3 July 1924]
11 December 1924
Miner Killed Near Airdrie - A miner named William M'Cracken (39), who resided, in the village of Plains, near Airdrie, was killed by a fall from the roof in No. 5 Pit Ardenrigg Coal Co. A stone weighing about four cwts fell upon him, dislocating and breaking his neck, death being instantaneous. Deceased leaves a. widow, whose three married sisters lost their husbands in the Stanrigg-Pit disaster some years ago. [Scotsman 13 December 1924]
10 August 1925
Miner Killed in Caldercruix Pit - A miner named Richard Tobbin (55), residing at Murray's Land, Eastfield, near Caldercruix, Airdrie, while at work in the lower Drumgray anthracite coal seam of Eastfield Colliery, was caught under a heavy fall of stone from the roof, and crushed to the pavement. His son had left him about 5 minutes previously, and on returning found him under the stone. Death had been instantaneous, the spine being fractured. [The Scotsman 12 August 1925]
21 January 1926
Fatal Colliery Accident Near Airdrie – William Mitchell (34), a brusher, residing in Whifflet, Coatbridge, was accidentally killed at Kippsbyre Colliery, near Airdrie, early yesterday morning. He had been engaged in brushing work when a stone fell upon him from the roof, causing instantaneous death. [Scotsman 22 January 1926]
8 February 1926
Clay Miner Fatally Injured - Peter Wolfe, clay miner, Glenboig, was fatally injured in a clay pit at Birkhill, near Manuel Junction, owned by Messrs Peter & Mark Hurll, fire-brick manufacturers , Regent Street, Glasgow. Workmen were excavating clay when a fall of several tons occurred from the side of the pit. Wolfe was pinned against a standing hutch, and he sustained severe internal and other injuries, from which he died soon afterwards. He was of middle age. Three fellow workmen had a narrow escape. [Scotsman 12 February 1926]
NB Deceased was also known as Baltrus Wilkas
11 April 1926
Miner Killed Near Airdrie - A miner named John Chapman (24), a married man residing at Arthur's Land, Plains, near Airdrie was accidentally killed in Ardenrigg Coal Company's No. 5 pit at Plains on Sunday. He was found unconscious on one of the roads, having apparently been knocked down and injured internally by a runaway hutch. [Scotsman 13 April 1926]
October 1926
Mining accident Near Airdrie - A new mine was in process of being opened by the Lochs Coal Co. at Gartsherrie, near Glenboig, in the Airdrie district , when two men, who were putting up wood on the sides of the mine, were suddenly overwhelmed in a fall of clay from the roof. David Marrow (41), underground fireman, 11b Allan Street, Coatbridge, was severely hurt on the hip and sustained internal injuries. He was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. Alex. Weir (57), miner, 181 Bank Street, Coatbridge, had his left foot severely crushed, and was taken home. [Scotsman 2 October 1926]
24 November 1926
Two brothers, Andrew and John Carwell, who went to an old outcrop to work coal at Airdrie, Lanarkshire, yesterday, were killed by a fall of debris. A third brother had a narrow escape. [The Times 25 November 1926]
2 December 1926
Airdrie Miner Seriously Crushed - An accident took place in the Stanrigg Colliery of Messrs M'Cracken Bros. at Whiterigg, Airdrie, early yesterday morning, whereby an elderly man, named Michael Woods, residing at Hamilton Place, Longriggend, was seriously crushed. A fall of fireclay and stones from the roof occurred and partially buried him. On being medically examined he was found to be suffering from serious injury to the pelvis, while his chest was also severely crushed. He was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 3 December 1926]
24 May 1927
Calderbank – Fatal Accident – Charles Sweeney (46), miner, lost his life in Kippsbyre Colliery, near Airdrie on Tuesday, by a fall of stone from the roof of his working place. He received a compound fracture of the skull which proved instantaneously fatal. Deceased was single and resided at 2 Gaswork Row, Calderbank. [Hamilton Advertiser 28 May 1927]
13 January 1928
Fatal Colliery Accident At Airdrie - A miner, named Bernard M'Cafferty (52), who resided at 13 Motherwell Street, Airdrie, died there from injuries sustained on Friday night, in Kippsbyre Colliery near Airdrie. He had been working in his usual place, when a. heavy stone fell upon him from the roof. [Scotsman 17 January 1928]
February 1929
Miner Killed on the Railway - A miner named Patrick Ward (55), residing at 10 Whitegates, Chapelhall, was killed on the railway between Airdrie and Chapelhall. He was walking home along the line from Calderbank when a train struck him on the head. [Scotsman 25 February 1929]
9 October 1930
Miner Killed At Calderbank - A miner named Archibald M'Ateer, residing at 4 Faskine Avenue, Calderbank, died yesterday in Glasgow Royal Infirmary from injuries received in No. 3 Pit Woodhall Colliery by a fall of stone coming down upon him from the roof of his working place. [Scotsman 10 October 1930]
17 April 1933
Pit Fatality Near Airdrie - A colliery fireman,. Samuel Hamilton, 35 M'Allister Avenue, Airdrie, was accidentally killed in Brownrigg mine, Greengairs, of which he was part proprietor. A shot was being fired in the coal face, and it being long in going off, Mr Hamilton had gone up to the shot hole to see what was wrong when an explosion occurred by which he was almost instantaneously killed. [Scotsman 18 April 1933]
22 June 1933
Clay Miner Killed At Glenboig - A clay miner named John Gardner Fowler (23), who lived with his parents at 16 Gartliston Square, Glenboig, was firing a shot of compressed powder in No. 15 clay mine, Gartliston, when the shot suddenly went off, and he was caught in the flying debris. He sustained a fracture of the skull and other injuries, from which he died in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 23 June 1933]
18 July 1933
Engineer's Death In Colliery Accident - While engaged in the dismantling of Greenhill Colliery, Lanarkshire , yesterday, Mr Thomas Greenshields, mining engineer, Forrest Street, Airdrie, was seriously injured by scaffolding giving way. He was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he died shortly after admission, Mr Greenshields was recently engaged in mining operations in India. He leaves a widow and a family of three. [Scotsman 19 July 1933]
21 November 1933
Miner Crushed In Pit - James Miller, a miner, aged 65, of Loanhead Rows, Greengairs, New Monkland, was seriously crushed against the wall,when struck by a runaway hutch of coal in Loanhead mine. He was removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Several of his ribs were fractured, and his condition is critical. [Scotsman 22 November 1933]
17 September 1936
Coal Company Manager Dies From Injuries - The death occurred in Glasgow Royal Infirmary yesterday of Mr David Leitch, 2 Coltswood Road, Coatbridge, who was injured at a pit shaft which is being sunk at Airdrie by the Dalmacoulter Direct Coal Supply Co. (Ltd.), Dalmacoulter, Airdrie. Mr Leitch, who was manager of the company, was standing on a platform suspended about 50 feet above the bottom of the shaft, superintending work when he slipped and fell. Workmen went to his assistance, and he was removed to the Infirmary suffering from severe head injuries. [Scotsman 18 September 1936]
28 October 1937
Airdrie Miner Killed - Crushed By Fall of Stones at Greengairs - An Airdrie miner employed in a Greengairs pit met his death about 6 o'clock on Thursday morning when a fall of stone pinned him to the ground. The victim of the accident, Francis Gallagher, aged 42, miner, 23 Reid Street, Rawyards, Airdrie, was working in the Drumgray coal seam in the West Cameron Colliery of the Brownieside Coal Company. A large quantity of stone known as lype collapsed at his working place and crushed him against the pavement. Workmates hurriedly extricated him from the stone, but he died before medical aid could be summoned. A doctor later certified death as due to crushing and shock. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 30 October 1937]
24 July 1950
Explosion at a Clay Mine – Jeremiah Black, 69 Aitchison Street, Airdrie, was taken to hospital suffering from burns after an explosion yesterday at Inchneuk clay mine, Glenboig. [Glasgow Herald 25 July 1950]