Sheffield Daily Telegraph. Wednesday  June 27, 1928.

Needless Accident.

Colliery Rules That Were Not Observed.

Deputy’s Admission.

The jury, returning a verdict of “Accidental death,” at an inquest held by Mr. Frank Allen at Mexborough yesterday, said that there had been some negligence, and that if the rules and regulations had been carried out the accident would not have happened.

The inquiry was on the body of Lewis Wroe (21), a trammer, who was injured by flying prop following a fall of roof at the Manvers Main Colliery on June 16th, and who died as a result of his injuries.

The Coroner said that during the last quarter century there had been material improvement in the discipline of the mines and the observation of the rules. Nevertheless there were still a number of accidents that could be avoided. Very often the miner did not think for himself, and the law had to think for him.

The law in this case said that the maximum distance allowed between a row of props was four feet, and that between each prop three feet. In this case two men had drawn props on their own responsibility, and had not thought it necessary to substitute other props.

The deputy who had noticed the deficiency had taken no steps to have it put right.

He did not wish to be harsh on any of the three men, but it would be neglect of duty if he did not point out the jury that they could not such conduct without comment.

Dataller’s Evidence.

Two of the men referred to gave evidence. Fred Collinson dataller, Piccadilly, Swinton. said he was working with another man building a pack. They removed two props, and then went to repair a jenny wheel, and while working a few yards away witness heard the roof fall in. He saw the prop strike Wroe, who had gone there after they had left.

Daniel Roberts, deputy, of 55, Highwoods Road, Mexborough admitted that the timbering was not carried out in accordance with the rule of the pit, and that took no steps to see that it was put ri