Geordie, welcome to the forum. I've had a quick look in the newspaper archive to see if I could find anything more than the Times reference on the Durham Mining Museum site. Unfortunately there are no NE newspapers in 1940 but there were a few mentions elsewhere:
Aberdeen Journal Wednesday 15 May;
"Seven men were removed to hospital following a slight iginition of gas at the Cooperative Society colliery at Shilbottle, yesterday.
Two of them, John Wilson, deputy and K (sic) Alder, coalfiller, were badly burned, while the others were treated for shock and minor injuries. Four of them were able to return home after treatment.
No material damage was done and work was continued at the colliery."
Hull Daily Mail 18 May;
"John Wilson, aged 52, died in Alnwick Infirmary, yesterday, from burns received in the Cooperative Wholesale Society's colliery at Shilbottle on Tuesday."
Gloucester Citizen 23 May;
"William Nicholson, 48, the third victim of last week's explosion....died in Alnwick Infirmary. He leaves a widow and 11 children."
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