New Monkland Accidents 1871-1900

This section contains newspaper reports on selected accidents. Please check the indexes in the Accidents Section for details of Inspector of Mines reports and other accidents covered on the site.

16 January 1871

Airdrie - Serious Explosion of Fire Damp - On Monday morning, about six o'clock, an accident through incaution in the use of a naked lamp occurred in No, 2 Coal-Pit, Airdriehill, belonging to Messrs Wm. Black & Sons The fireman in the pit, who is named Owen Halland had gone down to make his customary inspection of the workings previous to the men commencing work He was provided with a safety lamp; but he took along with him a boy 14 years of age, named James M'Gurk, who carried a naked lamp. On coming to what he knew to be a dangerous part of the mine Halland ordered the boy to put out his lamp but before this could be done an explosion caused by the foul air took place, burning Halland very much about the face and arms. The boy was not so much injured, as Halland had, on seeing that an explosion was inevitable, taken the boy in his arms and bent over him to save him. [Falkirk Herald 19 January 1871]

23 May 1871

Airdrie – Fearful Explosion of Powder - A destructive powder explosion , resulting from the freak of a drunken miner, took place early on Tuesday morning at Inchneuk Cottage, Glenboig Ironworks, Airdrie. The house had been tenanted by Stewart M'Candlish, a miner, and his wife , while two lodgers resided with them, named Francis M'Mahon and Wm. Beckett. On Monday night, M'Candlish and the lodgers had been drinking, and sat up till about one o'clock on Tuesday morning . The fire had become low, and, in order to re-kindle it, M'Candlish produced a cask of blasting powder, and commenced to throw handfuls of the powder on the fire. The powder having ignited, a terrible explosion took place , the three men being all severely burned, cut, and bruised. The house was completely wrecked, the door being smashed to splinters, and M'Candlish blown through it ; to some distance from the house. The three men have been removed to Glasgow Infirmary. Mrs M'Candlish, who was in bed, providentially escaped uninjured. [Scotsman 25 May 1871]

30 May 1871

Airdrie – Pit Accident – Yesterday morning, John Wallace, a miner, while working in No 5 coal pit, Stoneybrae, near Airdrie, was crushed beneath a fall of coal from the roof. He was extricated and carried home, but grave fears for his recovery are entertained. [Scotsman 31 May 1871]

Airdrie – Fatal Result of An Accident – John Wallace the miner who, as mentioned yesterday, was injured in Stoneybrae Colliery, Airdrie, by a fall of coal from the roof, died on Tuesday evening from his injuries. [Scotsman 1 June 1871]

30 May 1871

Airdrie Serious Accidents - On Tuesday, John Weir, a collier, residing at Calderbank, got his right collar-bone broken, while at work in No 2 coal: pit, Hillhead. The injury was caused by a large quantity of stones coming down on him from the roof. [Glasgow Herald 1 June 1871]

19 July 1871

Explosion of Fire Damp – Yesterday a miner named James Findlay, residing at Rawyards, was severely burned about the face and arms by an explosion of fire damp, which took place in No 2 coal pit, Drumshangie, near Airdrie. [Scotsman 20 July 1871]

4 September 1871

Airdrie – Fatal Pit Accident – Yesterday morning, two miners, named Thomas Baxter and Robert Hutchison, were accidentally killed in No 2 coal pit, Calderbank, near Baillieston, by an explosion of fire damp. Both men were advanced in years and resided near Baillieston. [Scotsman 5 September 1871]

10 November 1871

Airdrie – Fatal Pit Accident – On Saturday morning, Andrew Martin, a collier, died from the effects of injuries which he accidentally sustained in a pit at Bellsdyke colliery by a heavy fall of coal from the face. The injuries were of an internal nature. [Scotsman 13 November 1871]

20 September 1872

Shocking Pit Accident – On Friday an old man named Cornelius Smith, who was employed as “bottomer” in the Broomfield Coalpit, near Airdrie, was working in the upper level, which is about twenty fathoms from the bottom of the pit, and in stepping on the cage to ascend the shaft for dinner, he missed his footing and fell to the bottom – his body penetrating through the platform at the lower seam and falling into the water in the “sumph”. When recovered life was quite extinct. [The Dundee Courier & Argus 23 September 1872]

Man Killed by Falling Down a Pit - On Friday a man named Cornelius Smith, employed as a bottomer in Bailie Adam's Broomfield Pit, was accidentally killed by falling a considerable distance down the shaft. Deceased, who was wen advanced in years was employed at the landing for the upper seam of coal, which is about 20 fathoms from the bottom of the shaft, and, while stepping on to the cage to ascend to dinner on Friday, he missed his footing and fell to the bottom. When picked up he was quite dead - his body having pierced a wooden platform at the bottom of the shaft and fallen into the water in the ”sumph." [Falkirk Herald 26 September 1872]

21 September 1872

AIRDRIE - Fatal Pit Accident - On Saturday a collier named Robert James M'Munn, residing at Calderbank, was instantaneously killed while at working in No. 6 coalpit, Palacecraig. A heavy stone fell upon him from the roof, breaking his back. [Falkirk Herald 26 September 1872]

10 March 1873

AIRDRIE- Fatal Pit Accident - On Monday, a miner named Robert Salisbury, residing at Benhar, was accidentally killed in No. 1 ironstone pit there, belonging to Messrs Robert Addie & Sons. He was engaged at his usual work when a heavy stone fell on him from the roof, killing him on the spot. [Falkirk Herald 13 March 1873]

15 May 1873

Airdrie – Fatal Pit Accident – A brusher named John Reid, residing in Paul’s Close, Airdrie, met with a fatal accident yesterday, in No 1 Coal Pit, Airdriehill. Deceased was at work brushing the workings, and, having taken out a tree supporting the roof, a quantity of mineral fell on the top of him, crushing him so severely that death resulted instantaneously. [Glasgow Herald 16 May 1873]

31 October 1873

Airdrie Miner Killed – Alleged Culpability of an Engine Driver - Yesterday, an engineman named Robert Gibson, residing at Greengairs, near Airdrie, was apprehended and lodged in prison , in connection with an accident which involved the death of a brusher named Daniel M'Guire. Yesterday morning, M'Guire and another brusher were leaving work in No. 3 Coal Pit, Greengairs, belonging to Messrs J. & J. Russell. When the cage reached the usual landing-place, M'Guire stepped partly out of the cage, but the engine-driver did not stop his engine at the proper place, and the cage was drawn up six feet beyond the landing-place. M'Guire being partly out of the cage, either lost his balance and fell, or was thrown out by coming in contact with part of the pithead frame, and was precipitated to the bottom of the shaft - a depth of 40 fathoms - and killed on the spot. [Scotsman 1 November 1873]

23 February 1874

Airdrie – Alarming Boiler Explosion – On Monday morning about 10 o'clock a steam boiler at No 2 coalpit Arden, near Airdrie, exploded from some unknown cause, with great violence. The boiler, which was of the flat end kind, was thrown a distance of fully 60 yards, both ends being blown out. The engine house as well as the large chimney stalk, were reduced to ruins. The engine driver, a young man named Robert Steel, was in the engine house at the time, and sustained a number of severe bruises besides being scalded with hot water. It is a marvel that he was not killed on the spot. [Hamilton Advertiser 28 February 1874]

13 March 1874

AIRDRIE -Fatal Pit Accident - On Friday last a brusher named Hugh M'Dowall, residing in Hallcraig Street, Airdrie, while at work in No. 6 coalpit, Palacecraig, was buried by a fall of stones and rubbish from the roof, and killed on the spot. [Falkirk Herald - Thursday 19 March 1874]

18 March 1874

A brusher named John Gallocher, residing at Whiterigg, Airdrie, was on Wednesday accidentally killed in No 10 coalpit, Darngavil, by a large piece of stone falling on him from the roof. [Scotsman 20 March 1874]

6 October 1874

AIRDRIE - Fatal Pit Accident - On Tuesday, a collie named Murdoch M'Nab, who resided in Clarkston, met with his death in No. 1 Coal-pit, Ballochney Colliery, Airdrie, belonging to Messrs John Robertson & Son, coalmaster. M'Nab was at his usual work when a mass of coal fell on him from the roof, crushing him to death. [Falkirk Herald - Saturday 10 October 1874]

5 August 1875

Fatal Pit Accident - On Thursday, a lad named Alexander Pender, residing with his father in Aitchison Street, Airdrie, was accidentally killed in No. 7 coal pit, Kippbyre Colliery, belonging to James Nimmo & Co. Pender, in trying to leap on some hutches in motion, missed his foot, and fell in front of the hutches, having been run over and dragged some distance among the wheels. He was so severely injured that he died in about three hours afterwards. [Glasgow Herald 7 August 1875]

6 October 1875

Airdrie - Fatal Accident - Yesterday, a man named Hugh Gallocher, employed as a labourer at No. 3 Coal-pit, Stand, near Airdrie, was accidentally killed on the branch line of railway there. He tried to stop a loaded waggon in motion by "snibbling" it; but he was knocked down by the "snibble," run over by the wheels, and instantaneously killed. [Glasgow Herald 7 October 1875]

15 April 1876

Pit Accident - A lad, 14 years of age, named William Beveridge, residing at Glenmavis, was on Saturday morning very seriously injured in a pit belonging to the Thrashbush Coal Co, by a large stone falling upon him from the roof. His jawbone was broken, his head was bruised, and his left arm was broken [Herald April 17 1876]

9 January 1879

Serious Coal Pit Accident – Two Men Killed. - On Thursday morning, between 6 and 7 o'clock the workmen at Brownieside Coal Pit, belonging to Wm Black & Sons, were in process of descending to their work when a serious accident occurred. Between 20 and 30 times the cage had ascended and descended safely, carrying four men each time, and suddenly, when the cage had descended with its usual freight about 12 fathoms deep, a bolt unfortunately caught in the bratticing and upset the cage, whereby two of its occupants, named William Wright and John Welsh, were precipitated to the bottom and killed on the spot. A most miraculous escape was made by Robert Graham, a miner belonging to Airdrie, who caught hold of one of the broken slides, and held on until, after several signals, he along with the other occupant of the cage, by name Robt. Orr, who escaped with comparatively slight injuries to the head and legs, was brought to the surface. [Hamilton Advertiser January 11 1879]

15 April 1879

On Tuesday afternoon a man named Bernard M'Bride, residing at Clarkston, near Airdrie, was instantaneously killed by falling off a scaffold to the bottom of a pit shaft. [Scotsman 17 April 1879]

8 November 1879

Airdrie – Fatal Accident – On Saturday a miner named Macguire, a married man, lost his life at a pit at Palacecraig. He was in charge of some waggons which were being drawn up an incline by means of a rope, which broke, and the waggons ran over him, and crushed him to death. [Scotsman 10 November 1879]

13 November 1879

Airdrie – Miner Killed – Yesterday John Menzies, Chapel Street, was engaged in No 4 Bellsdyke coal pit, and a portion of the roof fell, killing him instantaneously [Scotsman 14 November 1879]

19 November 1881

Airdrie – Pit Accident - On Saturday, John Jarvie, 26 years of age, a collier, residing at Langloan, Coatbridge, met with a serious accident in Gartness Colliery, near Airdrie, the property of Gartness Mineral Company (Limited.). Jarvie, it appears, had been sitting about three yards from the coal face, and was in the act of filling his lamp with oil when a stone weighing about 7 cwt, came away from the roof and fell on his back and shoulders, crushing him to the ground. He was conveyed home and attended by Dr Kirkland of Airdrie, who ordered his removal to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary [Scotsman 22 Nov 1881]

23 May 1882

Serious Pit Accident At Airdrie - On Tuesday afternoon, a miner named Thomas Carson, 28 years of age, residing at Rawyards, met with a severe accident in No 2 ironstone Pit, Stanrigg, belonging to William Black & Sons, coalmasters. Carson had been working at the face when a large stone, weighing about half a ton, fell upon him from the roof, breaking his left shoulder blade and left leg below the knee. Dr Kirkland, Airdrie was in immediate attendance. [Glasgow Herald 25 May 1882]

21 July 1882

Airdrie – Crushed to Death In A Coal Pit – An accident of a shocking nature happened yesterday in No 1 Gorehill pit, Arden, to two brothers named Robert and James Torley, both colliers and residing at Arden, near Airdrie. They had been at their usual work cutting coal at the “face of the pit” a short distance apart from each other, when a massive stone which is supposed to have weighed 5 tons, fell from the roof. Robert Torley was struck by it, and severely bruised, but he managed to extricate himself. His brother James, however, was completely covered by the mass. When extricated, it was found that he was dead, and his body crushed and mangled in a frightful manner. Robert was taken home, where he was attended to by Dr Alston, who discovered that, beside being cut and bruised outwardly, he has sustained very serious internal injuries. He lies in a very dangerous state. [Scotsman 22 July 1882]

13 September 1882

Airdrie – Fatal Accident at Glenboig – yesterday John M'Avoy (50), a miner, residing at Glenboig, met with a fatal accident while at work in a fireclay mine at the Glenboig Fireclay Brickworks. It was supposed deceased was in the act of taking down a portion of clay which had been loosened by water, when upwards of three tons of the clay gave way, falling on the deceased and completely burying him. He was afterwards found lying face downwards, with the pick and shovel he had been using lying beside him. The body was found to have been frightfully mutilated about the head and other parts. He was conveyed to his lodgings, and seen by Dr Murray Muirhead, who said that death must have been instantaneous, resulting from a heavy fracture of the skull. [Scotsman 14 September 1882]

23 September 1882

Airdrie – Explosion of Fire Damp - On Saturday morning a fireman, named Thomas Sneddon, residing at Colliertree, near Airdrie, met with an accident which was caused by his own carelessness, and which might have cost him his life. He had been engaged in inspecting the workings of No.2 Mill Pit, Airdrie, to see if they were free from gas before the men went to work, and had recklessly used a naked lamp for the .purpose. He had not proceeded far when the explosion occurred, and had there been any great accumulation of gas the man would have been killed on the spot and great damage done to the pit. As it is, Sneddon is very seriously burned about the face and hands, but there are no fears entertained regarding his recovery. [Scotsman 25th September 1882]

16 October 1882

Airdrie – Fatal Fall Down a Pit – On Monday afternoon Robert Martin, a miner, about 55 years of age, who was employed as a pit bottomer in No 1 Drumbow Colliery, in the parish of New Monkland, belonging to Mr James Gemmell, coal master, Slamannan, was instantaneously killed by falling down the pit shaft from the Lady Grange seam to the pit bottom, a distance of 23 fathoms. Martin, it appears, had been pushing forward a loaded hutch towards the shaft, in order to place it on the cage to get it taken to the pithead, but he failed to observe that the cage was not on a level with the seam, and the consequence was the hutch fell into the shaft, dragging him along with it. Several of his companions who witnessed the accident at once proceeded to the pit bottom, and found Martin lying dead. Dr Waddell was immediately summoned, who found that the deceased's neck was broken, and that death must have been instantaneous. [Scotsman 18 October 1882]

4 December 1882

Fatal Pit Accident Near Airdrie - A report was yesterday handed in to the county police authorities at Airdrie of an accident which. had occurred in Lochhill Ironstone Pit, near Airdrie, the property of the Monkland Iron Company Ltd. Peter Connerty, 55 years of age, a brusher, residing at Clarkston, near Airdrie, was engaged "boring'' near to the "face'' in the pit, when a massive stone, weighing about half-a-ton, came away from the side wall, and falling on Connerty, crushed him very severely about the lower part of the body and on the right leg, and also broke his left thigh-bone in two places. It was some time before the large stone could be removed, and when this was done he was taken home, where Dr Gemmell, of Airdrie, was in attendance. After a careful examination of the injured man, he held out little hope of his recovery. Connerty lingered on till yesterday morning, when, about seven o'clock., he succumbed to his injuries. [Scotsman 5 Dec 1882]

NB Deceased was Michael Connorton

13 January 1883

Airdrie – On Saturday forenoon, two colliers named John McAuley and James Brown, residing at Airdrie, were severely burned in No. 2 Mill Pit, Airdrie, occupied by Messrs John Robertson & Sons, by an explosion of fire damp. [Scotsman 15 January 1883]

11 November 1883

Airdrie Pit Accident – Narrow Escape of Two Miners - On Sunday, while two man who had been down No. 5 pit, Milnwood Colliery, belonging to the Monkland Iron Company, were being drawn up the shaft, through some misunderstanding they were pulled up over the wheels. The cage, fortunately, kept them entangled for a second or two, and allowed them time to clutch the cross beam of the pit-head frame, by which means they were saved. The cage was smashed, and fell to the bottom of the shaft. [Scotsman 13 November 1883]

19 February 1884

A Collier Crushed To Death – On Tuesday about 12 o'clock, William Kennedy, 35, miner, residing in High Street, was killed in No 2 Roughcraig Pit, Rawyards. The deceased, along with two others, was holing at the face, when a massive stone, weighing half a ton, came away from the roof, and falling on Kennedy's back, crushed him to the ground. When the stone was removed immediately after, Kennedy was quite dead. Deceased was a widower and leaves three children. [Airdrie Advertiser & Linlithgowshire Standard 23 February 1884]

28 February 1884

Explosion of Fire Damp In Roughcraig Colliery – The Manager Burned – On Thursday afternoon, between 2 and 3 o'clock, and explosion of fire damp occurred in No 3 Roughcraig Pit, belonging to the Roughcraig Coal Company. It is stated that the manager, Mr Carruthers, had been down the pit making an inspection of the workings, when an accumulation of fire damp suddenly ignited. He is very seriously burned all over the body, and was considered to be in a critical condition. He was attended by two medical gentlemen. [Airdrie Advertiser & Linlithgowshire Standard 1 March 1884]

6 March 1884

Melancholy Death At Stanrigg Colliery – On Thursday morning the sad news reached Airdrie that Mr David Barr, sen, residing at 9 Peel Street, had been fatally injured in the Victor Emmanuel pit, Stanrigg, belonging to Messrs W Black & Sons. Mr Barr, who was well known and highly respected in the district, had proceeded to his work in the usual manner, and was directing the operations of several others in the removal of “stoops” in a part of the workings. It is said that before starting work for the day he had gone and made a special inspection of a large stone in the roof which had a somewhat dangerous appearance the previous night. He considered, however, that the stone, which measured about 15 feet in length, might be dislodged without incurring danger, and he accordingly gave directions to the rest of the men to stand clear, at the same time endeavouring to step out of the way himself. Unfortunately he was a moment too late, and the stone, which had been pretty well loosened, suddenly gave way, and in its fall caught Mr Barr in the forehead with great force. He was completely stunned and remained insensible for about half-an-hour, when, without having been able to speak, he expired, after having been taken to the top of the shaft. The body was immediately conveyed home where Dr Kirkland, Airdrie, certified that life was extinct. Much regret is felt over the neighbourhood at the sad occurrence, the deceased having been known to be quiet, unassuming, and painstaking; and the deepest sympathy is being expressed for his sorrowing widow and family. [Airdrie Advertiser & Linlithgowshire Standard 8 March 1884]

3 May 1884

Airdrie Fatal Blasting Accident - Two men were employed in No. 3 pit, West Drumgray Colliery, Airdrie, on Saturday blasting in one of the roads in the Kiltongue seam, when a charge exploded prematurely, bringing down a large mass of stone, which fell upon one of the men, Patrick Carroll, who was thereby so much injured, that he died shortly afterwards. Deceased, who is a native of Ireland (County Armagh), leaves a widow and five children. [Scotsman 6 May 1884]

5 June 1884

Airdrie – Explosion of Gunpowder - Yesterday morning a serious explosion of gunpowder took place in a home at 13 Clark Street, Airdrie, occupied by a collier named Leishman. About five o'clock Leishman's daughter was kindling the fire, when, by mistake for a flask of oil, she lifted from a. press under the window a flask of gunpowder, and emptied it on the fire, a violent explosion immediately occurring. The woman was severely burned, and is at present in a critical condition. The force of the explosion blew down the whole of the partition opposite the fireplace, and the framework of the window was also destroyed. The explosion, occurring at such an early hour, occasioned considerable alarm. [Scotsman 6 June 1884]

23 August 1884

Airdrie – Fatal Pit Accident – A young man named William Kinloch, was accidentally killed at Gushet House Pit, Airdrie, on Saturday morning. [Edinburgh Courant 25 August 1884]

9 January 1885

The Charge Against A Colliery Manager - Yesterday, in the Airdrie Sheriff Court - before Sheriff Mair and a jury - Alexander M'Donald Thomson, colliery manager, was tried for culpable homicide by causing the death of a miner named Hugh Lochridge. The jury returned a verdict of not proven, and Thomson was discharged from the bar. [Scotsman 28 March 1885]

29 April 1885

Fatal Pit Accident Near Airdrie – On Wednesday a lad named Thomas M'Laughlan, residing at Black Row, Greengairs, was killed by a fall of stone from the roof while he was working in the Kiltongue seam of No 6 Glentore Colliery, near Airdrie. [Scotsman 1 May 1885]

13 July 1885

Fatal Accident At Pithead - A young lad named Robert Jenkins (14), residing with his mother at Loanhead, near Airdrie, was killed while at work at No. 6 Glentore colliery on Monday afternoon. He had, along with his sister (16 years of age), been engaged "spragging" waggons on the pit weighs when one of the sprags he had put in to check the wheel of a waggon gave a sudden jerk and threw him prone under the waggon. He was run over by the wheels, and died about three hours afterwards. [Scotsman 15 July 1885]

25 August 1885

Airdrie - Fatal Pit Accident at Whiterigg - Yesterday, Wm. Wheellan, 33, miner, Airdriehill Square, Whiterigg, succumbed to injuries he received the previous day in Stanrigg coal pit, Whiterigg, owned by W. Black & Sons.. He had been pulling a hutchful of coals down an incline, but had neglected to "snibble" the wheels, the result being that he was run over and his back broken. [Glasgow Herald 27 August 1885]

26 December 1885

Fatal Accident at Longrigg – On Saturday, while an engine driver named Robert Robertson was engaged shunting with a “pug” engine at Longrigg Colliery, belonging to Messrs James Nimmo and Co, the engine left the rails. The buffer of a waggon which was following the engine caught Robertson about the back and crushed him against the front of the engine. The unfortunate man only lived a few minutes after the occurrence. Robertson leaves a widow and four children. Other two men who were on the engine with Robertson at the time escaped unhurt. [Hamilton Advertiser January 2 1886]

12 April 1886

Man Killed in Coal Pit – On Monday, the County Police reported at Airdrie the accidental death of a miner named Gregor McGregor, 50 years of age, while at work in No 1 Dunsyston Colliery, near Gartness. A stone weighing 15 cwt., fell upon him from the roof, inflicting fatal injuries upon his head. [Hamilton Advertiser April 17 1886]

20 April 1886

Fatal Accident – On Tuesday, a waggon driver named James Smith, who was employed at Faskine Colliery, Coatbridge, was severely crushed between the buffers of two waggons there. He had to be removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he died on Wednesday morning. [Hamilton Advertiser April 24 1886]

23 April 1886

Accident – A breaksman named Peter McLeay, residing at Greenhill Terrace, Coatbridge, was engaged uncoupling waggons at Langdales Colliery, Greengairs, near Airdrie, on Friday, and was coming through below the waggons when he slipped and was run over by the wheels, both his legs being almost severed from his body. He was immediately taken to the Royal Infirmary, where his legs had to be amputated. [Hamilton Advertiser April 24 1886]

27 July 1886

Fatal Colliery accident – On Tuesday a fatal accident was reported from Longriggend, near Airdrie. It appears that at No 1 Longriggend coal pit the cage had been raised above the pithead, near to the pulleys, and three miners who were inside the cage, thinking they were to be thrown off, jumped from the cage onto the roof of the pithead. Two of them managed to keep their hold on the pit head and escaped unhurt, but the third, John Healey (24) fell from the roof to the ground, a distance of 34 feet and was killed. The fourth man, who stuck t the cage, escaped uninjured. On Thursday David Thomson, colliery engineman, Longriggend, was apprehended by the police on a charge of culpable homicide by violation or neglect of duty, he having on Monday last allowed the cage at No 1 pit, Longriggend, to be raised above the pithead near the pulleys, to the danger of the lives of the four men who were inside, and one of whom, as already reported (John Healey), fell a distance of 37 feet and was killed. Thomson yesterday emitted a declaration before the Sheriff and was remanded, pending inquiry. [Hamilton Advertiser July 31 1886]

10 August 1886

Pit Accident – On Tuesday a miner named Alexander Stevenson, residing in Wellwynd, Airdrie, was at work in No 3 Bellsdyke Pit, when a huge stone fell upon him from the roof, severely bruising him about the head and neck. He was taken home in a cart and attended by Dr Alston. [Hamilton Advertiser August 14 1886]

14 April 1888

Pit Accident At Greengairs – On Saturday an accident, which is likely to have a fatal result, befell a miner, Joseph Brady, 18, who resides at Greengairs. He was working in one of the air courses in No 6 Stand Colliery near Greengairs when a stone about a ton in weight fell on him from the roof, his face and part of his head being buried in the ground by the pressure. When extricated he was unconscious, and Dr Arthur, who was in attendance, found that Brady had sustained concussion of the brain. [Scotsman 16 April 1888]

28 September 1888

Yesterday forenoon a miner named John Carson, residing at Rawyards, Airdrie, was so severely injured while working at the "face" in No. 5 Rawyards Coal Company pit, that he died in the course of the day. [Scotsman 29 September 1888]

8 May 1894

Fatal Colliery Accident At Calderbank – Yesterday, Alexander Auld, 44, oversman, Woodhall Gates, Calderbank, was killed by a stone falling upon him in No 1 Woodhall Colliery, belonging to Messrs Barr & Higgins. He had been engaged fitting up props in the lower Drumgray seam when a stone about a ton in weight crushed him in such a way that he died in two hours. [Scotsman 9 May 1894]

27 November 1895

Airdrie - Accident In A Whiterigg Coal Pit - Yesterday Samuel Curran, 47 Baird's Square, Rawyards, was seriously injured in No. 1 .Colliery, Stanrigg, belonging to Wm. Black & Sons, Whiterigg. He had been sitting with one leg doubled up below him and the other stretched out, when a large piece of ironstone fell upon the stretched-out leg and crushed it very badly. Dr Kirkland dressed the limb, which was found to have sustained a comminuted fracture, and ordered the man's removal to the infirmary. [Glasgow Herald 28 November 1895]

27 July 1896

Fatal Fall Down A Pit Shaft At Airdrie - Thomas Baillie (60), blacksmith . Plains, was killed yesterday while working at No. 3 pit Brownieside colliery belonging to William Black & Sons. Baillie and some other men were stitching a rope which was out of repair. To do this they lowered the cage some distance down the shaft, placed two large trees over the opening, and put a gland on the rope (which is a flat one), and allowed it to rest on the trees. The rope appears to have slipped off the gland and knocked Baillie down the shaft, a distance of 110 fathoms. [Scotsman 28 July 1896]

13 May 1897

Fatal Pit Explosion Near Airdrie – Last night a serious explosion occurred in No. 2 Greyrigg colliery, belonging to the Darngavil Coal Company, resulting in the death of one man and serious injury to other two. The actual cause of the accident has not been ascertained but it is believed that in some way the fire-damp had been ignited, and an explosion ensued. James White (28), fireman, Meikle Drumgray, was so severely burned and otherwise injured that he only survived a short time. He leaves several children. John Port, (35), fireman, Middle Row, Greengairs, was severely burned on the face , arms, and legs and was conveyed in Airdrie ambulance waggon to the Western Infirmary Glasgow, John King (26), oversman, High Darngavil, a brother of the manager, was similarly injured. [Scotsman 14 May 1897]

The Explosion At Darngavil Colliery - John Port (35), the fireman at this colliery during the explosion, has died from his injuries in the Western Infirmary, this being the second death in connection with the accident. The other man who was seriously injured and who is being treated at home, is John King, the manager's brother, and though he has been in s critical condition up till last night, he was then reported to be slightly better. [Scotsman 18 May 1897]

24 January 1898

Boy Killed in Greengairs Pit – Yesterday a boy named Richard Kinnieson, 15, residiing in Greengairs, was fatally injured in Broadrigg coalpit, belonging to Messrs John Nimmo & Son. He had been drawing a hutch down an incline road when a hutch from behind came down full force and crushed him between the two. He was removed home in a badly injured condition when he died. [Scotsman 28 January 1898]

9 February 1898

Fatal Accident at Longrigg – While Alexander Bail, East Longrigg Rows, was spragging a waggon at the railway line near the dross washing machine at East Longrigg Colliery, the sprag slipped, and striking Bail, knocked him before the wheel of the waggon, which crushed his ribs. He died half an hour after the accident. [Scotsman 11 February 1898]

19 April 1898

Fatal Accident - A sad fatal accident occurred on Tuesday morning in No. 6 Pit, Longrigg Colliery, belonging to Messrs James Nimmo and Company. It appears that John Campbell, miner, thirty-five years of age, was working at the face in the soft coal seam, when a stone, weighing about 25 cwts., came away from the roof, crushing him to the pavement. Campbell was extricated with all speed, but life was found to be extinct. Deceased leaves a widow and six of a family, for whom much sympathy is expressed. [Falkirk Herald 23 April 1898]

24 October 1898

Fatal Accident to a Boy- A boy named Campbell, 13, a picker, residing at 53 East Longrigg Rows, New Monkland, met his death in a very sad manner on Monday. He had been employed at the coal-crushing machine at Messrs James Nimmo & Company Limited, but was at the time of the accident amusing himself by swinging on a rope tied round his waist, and fixed round tihe shaft which turns the travelling tables. The poor lad was drawn close up to the shaft, and was dead before he could be released. [Scotsman 26 October 1898]

27 July 1899

Colliery Explosion Near Airdrie – An explosion of firedamp occurred in No 1 Brownieside Pit, Plains, whereby two men, William Devlin, fireman was severely burned, and Jas. Neil, brushing contractor, also sustained burns on the face and arms. There had been a burst of water in the workings, which caused an escape of firedamp. - Peter Sherry, miner, Longriggend, was similarly burned and thrown against the wall in No. 4 Gorehill Colliery, Arden, by an explosion of gas. He had been engaged clearing an air course. A naked light was used in each case. [Glasgow Herald 27 July 1899]