South Yorkshire  Times February 14, 1959

Yesterday’s Fatality at Manvers Main

Wombwell Man dies in Boiling Cauldron

Colleague Makes an Unsuccessful Rescue Bid

Seconds after he had been speaking to two workmates, a 50-years-old Wombwell man died

tragically early yesterday (Thursday) when he fell into a steaming cauldron of boiling waterin a 20 feet deep ammonia saturator at Manvers Coking Plant, Wath-on-Dearne.

An N.C.B. spokesman at Doncaster said yesterday that Little-wood sustained fatal injuries at 6.45 a.m. when he fell through the top manhole of an ammonia saturator-containing hot water for boiling out purposes prior to repairs. The spokesman said no other person .was involved and that the circumstances were being investigated.

Half-Light And, Swirling Steam

Shortly before, Littlewood shad been in conversation with two fitters, Mr. W. Gammidge of Arnold Crescent, Mexborough, and Mr. C. Kelly, of Harlington Road, Mexborough, who were, also working on the job.

.”We started work at 6 a.m.” they told a “South Yorkshire times” reporter, and after discussing the job with those he moved away towards the manhole. In the half light and swirling steam he disappeared without a sound. We dashed over to the manhole and shouted, but there was no reply. He was talking to us one minute and the next minute he had disappeared they said.

Mr. Gammidge said they were working under Littlewood’s supervision and the manhole cover – 11 ins. in circumference — had been taken off some time earlier to allow the saturator to be inspected.

Rescue Bid

An unsuccessful rescue bid was made by 35-years-old foreman fitter Mr. Guy Parker of Barnsley Road, Wath, who scrambled down the tank, when it was realised that Littlewood had fallen in. Previously he had ordered the tank to be drained, and, putting on a gas mask he went down a ladder into the pitch dark interior of the vat, which is almost completely enclosed.

Despite his danger he spent  several minutes groping in an attempt to find his workmate. It was not until the draining of the tank had been completed that the body was discovered and brought out. By that time Dr. I. Campbell and P.c. Edward Burke, were on the scene and Dr. Campbell certified that Littlewood was dead.

Quiet and unassuming. Mr. Parker told the “South Yorkshire Times”: “My first thought when I heard someone had gone in was to get the saturator emptied. It was a practically hopeless task from the start, although I thought there might be a faint chance of saving him.”

Mr. Parker said he made repeated attempts to locate Littlewood in the near scalding water which was almost 15 feet deep. “I couldn’t do much more than touch the surface with my hands, it was so hot,” he said, speaking to a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter yesterday.

Mrs. Parker said her husband was a very quiet man and would not like at  all the “fuss” which was being made over his rescue attempt. Mr. and Mrs, Parker have two children, five years-old Jane and six weeks-old John.

Native of Jump

Littlewood leaves a widow and a 21 years old unmarried daughter. He is a son of the late Mr Theodore Littlewood, and his mother, Mrs. Annie Littlewood, aged 85, lives in the Council bungalows in Blythe Street, Wombwell. He was a native of Jump.

Before moving into Wright Crescent, Wombwell, nineteen years ago the family lived in Hough Lane and Western Terrace, Wombwell. He was a keen bowls player and a member of Wombwell Park Club.