Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 03 August 1940

Did Not Set Props When Advised By Deputy

Mexborough Miner Crushed

Failure to carry out instructions given to him by a deputy were stated at the inquest at Doncaster on Tuesday to have resulted in a Mexborough miner, Paul Brailsford Shaw, aged 41, of 35, Byron Road, being fatally injured at the Yorkshire Main Colliery, Edlington.

A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest and the Doncaster District Coroner (Mr. H. Carlile ) said that certain instructions were given to Shaw and from what subsequently happened they were not carried. The working place was not a good one, and it was necessary for him to make himself safe, as instructed by the deputy. It might have been better if another man had been there. It seemed to be a practice in this pit to seek other help, if wanted, from men close by, and Shaw was capable of asking help if needed. He appeared not to have done this. There was no evidence to show that Shaw set the props he should have done. Unfortunately, as a result of that failure there was a fall, which injured Shaw in such a manner that he died.

James Zanelli, of King’s Crescent. Edlington, who was working ten feet from Shaw, said he heard a crash, and shout about the place where Shaw was working. He found Shaw’s legs were pinned to ground by two large pieces of with his back to the tension block. Shaw told him that a piece of coal had burst off the face.

Deputy’s Orders

Robert P. Pinkney, deputy, Avenue, Warmsworth, said he told Shaw to set a sprag under some overhanging coal, and told him to slot two bars over a girder. The roof was slightly dangerous with two slips. After the accident witness made an examination of the place, and found no evidence of the bars or timber having been set. The two roof slips were more apparent, and some coal had come the face and some from the hanging “conny” coal. The fall was due to slips. There was no evidence that Shaw had attempted to carry out his instructions, it appeared that he had been getting coal without taking the precautions given.

Shaw had been employed as at the Yorkshire Main Colliery for 12 months, before which he was at Barnburgh Main Colliery. He was born at Denaby, and had lived at Mexborough for 30 years.

He was a well-known pianist and had taken part in many local concerts for the benefit of local charities. He leaves a widow and twin daughters who, as “The Harmony Twins.” have given items at many entertainment.

The funeral took place Mexborough yesterday afternoon.