South Yorkshire Times July 20, 1957

One Man Leaving Hospital
Was Injured In Barnburgh Explosion

Although the death roll in the Barnburgh Main Pit explosion on June 26 has risen to four (there have been two more deaths since our last issue) there was better news last night from Denaby Fullerton Hospital, where it was stated that Mr John Scott (54), Windmill Crescent Mexborough was to be discharged today.

Mr Joseph Hill (55), Manor Rd, Swinton, died in Wharncliffe hospital, Sheffield late last Thursday night, and Mr Daniel Lunness (48), Hall Broom Gardens, Bolton, died in Wharncliffe hospital on Tuesday.

This brought the death roll to 4, Mr Charles Trevor Stott (32), School Street, Great Houghton, and Mr Derek Smith (28), Melbourne Avenue, Bolton having died earlier.

Mr Lunness was transferred from Mexborough Montagu hospital to Wharncliffe on Saturday. Mr Hill had been transferred a week last Friday.

The Ministry of Power announced yesterday that the Minister has directed Mr Charles W Scott, Divisional Inspector of Mines for the North-Eastern Division to make a special report on the explosion. The report will be published.

The funeral Mr Hill took place at Swinton churchyard on Wednesday. In addition to a large number of family and private mourners, representatives from several organisations attended.

The following floor injured men were transferred from Mexborough Montagu to the Fulwood Annexe of Sheffield Royal Hospital on Sunday:

William T Knox (53), Sprotbrough Rd, Doncaster; Sam Gratton (35), Ringway, Bolton; John Charlesworth (20), Wellington St, Goldthorpe, and Colin Wilkinson (20), Bewicke Ave, Scoresby Doncaster

Last night they were all reported to be “improving slowly.”

The three miners detained in Wharncliffe hospital – Richard Corbridge (30), Montrose Avenue, Intake, Doncaster, Herbert Fells (41) Taylor St, Thurnscoe and Herbert Edwards (37), Broom View Rd, Bolton – were all reported to be “very ill” last night.

At Rotherham and Doncaster gate hospital last night, Robert Turner (42), Windsor St, Thurnscoe, Bryon Silcott (20), Victoria St, Goldthorpe, and Thomas Wright (42) Heath grow, Bolton, were all reported to be “improving.”

Martin Quigley (32), Heath Grove, Bolton, one of four men detained in Doncaster Royal infirmary, was last night stated to be “fairly comfortable.”

The other three men – Ernest Downing (43), Furlong Rd, Bolton, Albert Staniforth (47) Meadow View Rd, Kilnhurst and John Hemsworth (47), Melbourne Ave, Bolton, were all reported to be “comfortable”.