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Old 27-05-2012, 09:05 AM
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Coquet Coquet is offline
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On Friday, the 9th, the adjourned inquest at Shillbottle, on the body of John. Henderson, aged 15 years, was resumed before Mr Hardy, coroner. From the evidence, it appeared that, on the 31st ult., a man and five boys, of whom the deceased was one, descended the shaft of the colliery, a depth of fifty fathoms, by attaching themselves to the loop of a chain or rope. When they arrived at the bottom it was dark, and the man with four boys came off the chain, and a light was struck. One of the boys shouted "Up," and the chain was drawn up, when it was discovered that the deceased still remained- attached to it. They called again from the bottom, and the engine was stopped, and the rope reversed, when the deceased immediately fell down into the pit, and was severely crushed. He was brought to bank, carried to his lodgings, and medical assistance procured, but he never spoke, and died in about an hour. The men usually descend in a cage, and had that plan been followed on the present occasion, the accident could not have happened. Verdict--Accidentally killed.


[The Newcastle Courant Friday, April 16, 1858]



Well, I'm pleased I didn't join the mining industry in the 19th Century.
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