Accidents

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

Lindsay Memorial, Kelty - Inscription reads: "On this site from 1873 to 1965 stood the Lindsay Colliery where on the 14th December 1957 nine men lost their lives in an underground explosion."

22 December 1852

Fatal Accident - Thomas Wishart, miner, about 20 years of age, met with his death at No 9 Pit, Fordell Colliery, on Wednesday, the 22d inst., under the following circumstances: The pit is wrought by an engine, but the frame at the mouth of the pit having given way, about 50 men being engaged in the pit at the time, a windlass had to be erected, in order to raise them out; and as the men came up in cagefuls, each took his turn at the windlass. Wishart had wrought at the windlass till he had assisted to bring up three cagefuls, and after being relieved, the pit being in two divisions, he inadvertently tumbled into the one opposite the division on which the windlass was erected, and fell to the bottom, a depth of 20 fathoms, and was killed on the spot. [Dunfermline Journal 31 December 1852]

20 May 1853

Coal Pit Accident - At the Cowdenbeath coal pit on Saturday week, a man named Michael Doran, whose duty was to put the tubs upon the cages at the pit bottom, and to fasten them with a catch, and then to ring a bell at the pithead, which is done by means of a wire that runs from the pithead to the bottom (the ringing of the bell is to let the men in charge of the engine know when to put it in motion), was in the act of putting the tub into the cage, when, by some accident or other, the tub got off the rails, which occasioned delay. The engineer thinking the bell had rung, put the engine in motion, and lifted the cage before the hutch was properly fastened. The hutch fell out of the cage upon Doran, and cut and crushed him severely. He has since been attended by the company's doctor, and is thought to be dangerously hurt. [Dunfermline Journal 27 May 1853]

30 June 1853

Deplorable Accident - On Thursday, the 30th June, as three miners named Downie Hunter, James Hunter and Robert Hunter, were descending one of the Cowdenbeath pits, when the part of the machinery called the pirn, connecting the rope to the tumbling shaft of the engine, gave way, thus depriving the engine-driver of all control over the descending tub, the three men were precipitated to the bottom of the pit, a depth of 45 fathoms. On being got out, Downie expired almost instantaneously. His uncle James lingered till ten o'clock the same night, when death terminated his sufferings, and Robert had a leg and arm broken, and otherwise severely injured, but is now in the fair way of recovery. [Dunfermline Journal 29 July 1853]

29 November 1853

Colliery accident - 5 lives lost - A dreadful accident occurred on Tuesday morning at Cowdenbeath Colliery, near Dunfermline - five men having been precipitated to the bottom of the shaft, a depth of 36 fathoms. Three of the number were killed on the spot, a 4th died on Wednesday morning, and the recovery of the 5th is perfectly hopeless. The accident occurred in consequence of the breaking of the rope, and though the cage was on the patent safety principle, the spring seems to have been out of order, as it seems never to have caught the guides. Two of the sufferers have left families. [Herald 3rd December 1853]

The late colliery accident at Dunfermline - The investigation into the Cowdenbeath accident has resulted, it is said, in a discovery that the rope had been cut. This, however, seems to be disbelieved by the public as far as any malicious cutting is concerned, and we observe placards posted calling a meeting of the colliers of Fife to be held at Crossgates on Monday first, to consider the best means for preventing a repetition of these fearful accidents. [Scotsman 24th December 1853]

The Dead

• Edward Shepherd, collier
• David Miller, collier, native of Coaltown of Balgonie
• James King, collier age 19
• 2 bachelors called Campbell, colliers, natives of Baintown, Kennoway

[source; pre-1855 death index- Fife Family History Society]

3 June 1860

Dunfermline - Accident at Lassodie Colliery - On Saturday afternoon a serious accident happened to a man named Paterson, a carter at Lassodie Colliery. Having loaded a truck with coal, he was taking out the drag, when his foot slipping, his legs fell before the truck, which passed over them, inflicting injuries which compelled the amputation of one of the limbs. [Scotsman 29 May 1860]

Fatal Termination of the Accident at Lassodie Colliery - The man named Paterson, who was hurt at Lassodie last week by an accidental fall before the waggons, died on Sunday night. [Scotsman 6 Jun 1860]

10 May 1862

Disastrous Coal Pit Accident at Hill of Beath - A melancholy accident occurred at Hill of Beath Colliery on Saturday morning, in a pit in the process of being sunk there, by which one man was killed and others more or less injured. Two men named respectively William Hamilton age 29 and Gavin Hamilton age 25, sinkers, were employed in the pit, about 8 o'clock, in guiding down the shafts a quantity of pipes, which were being lowered from the surface, for the purpose, it is said, of getting a few more lengths of pipe attached to the top. The two men were standing on a “bunting”, a beam of wood, about 4 inches square, crossing the shaft. When within a short distance of this “bunting” some of the bindings of the pipes gave way, and the heap crashed down the pit, carrying off the beam on which the men were standing with other debris. William Hamilton seized hold of one of the sidebars of the shaft, by which he held until rescued from the top, but his brother, less fortunate, was borne down by the falling mass to the pit bottom, into 30 fathoms of water. David Adams, the son of Mr Ord Adams, the proprietor, was also employed in the shaft at the time, but escaped by the exercise of the same presence of mind that saved William Hamilton. The two survivors were at once relived from their perilous position by the men at the pithead, and the drag was applied, if possible to recover the body of Gavin Hamilton, but without success – it is supposed that his body has been buried under the pipes and rubbish. The fastenings were made by the men themselves, and so confident were they of the security that when, about 10 minutes before the accident occurred, they were enjoined by the proprietor Mr Adams, “That if they had any fear of danger they should come up the pit” they replied “That there was no fear,” and gave the signal to the man at the pithead to lower away. William Hamilton was bruised about the head, right leg and back, but cannot tell how he received the injuries. One of the men at the pithead was slightly injured by the jerking of the crane, caused by the parting of the bindings, and consequent relaxing of the strain on the ropes. [Dunfermline Press – in Herald May 15 1862]

17 March 1871

Dunfermline - Pit Accidents - An accident occurred yesterday morning in the underground workings of the Munster Pit, Hill of Beath colliery, Dunfermline whereby John Hunter, a brusher, was killed, and another brusher, named John Kyle , was severely bruised and injured. The two men were brushing the pit when a large quantity of stones and rubbish fell from the roof upon them. The men were immediately taken to their homes, but Hunter never rallied. - Another serious accident took place in the Burnside Pit, belonging to the Halbeath Company, to a miner named Bernard Clark. He was in the act of pushing his empty hutch into the facing when a large portion of the brushing fell and struck him severely upon the head. He was at once taken home, when it was found that his skull was fractured. Little hope is entertained of his recovery. [Scotsman 18 March 1871]

23 August 1872

Dunfermline - Serious Accident - Last night a lad named Alexander Houston, while engaged in a pit at Lassodie Colliery near Dunfermline, was caught by a hutch while it was being let down an incline, and thereby sustained injuries of such a serious nature that he was not expected to live through the night. [Scotsman 24 August 1872]

16 September 1875

While a miner named John Allan was employed yesterday in a pit at Lassodie Colliery near Dunfermline, a mass of coal came down upon him from the "face", inflicting serious injury [Scotsman 17 September 1875]

2 October 1877

Dunfermline - Fatal Accident - Last night James McBirnie met his death by falling down from the five foot seam to the lower bottom of No. 9 Pit, Lassodie Colliery, Dunfermline. He had incautiously left the "gates" to the former open. The deceased was 50 years of age. [Scotsman 3 Oct 1877]

12 September 1881

Dunfermline – Fatal Accident - James Allan, miner, Cowdenbeath, was engaged on Monday in building a wall between two pits at Cowdenbeath Colliery, when part of the wall suddenly gave way and crushed him so severely that he died yesterday. [Scotsman 14 September 1881]

2 November 1882

Dunfermline – Miner Killed – At an early hour yesterday morning, while Andrew M'Gill, a brusher, was engaged in taking down some stones from the roof of No 3 Pit of Cowdenbeath Collieries, a large quantity of material gave way, and buried him underneath. When extricated he was found to be dead. M'Gill was about 50 years of age, and is survived by a wife and grown up family. [Scotsman 3 November 1882]

15 August 1883

Colliery Accident in Fife – 3 Men Killed & Four Seriously Injured - Dunfermline Wednesday Night – This afternoon one of the most serious colliery accidents which have occurred in Fifeshire for many years took place at the Dora Pit, Little Raith Colliery, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron Company, and situated six miles to the east of Dunfermline. It appears that the engineman, James Guthrie, stopped winding coal, according to custom, at two o'clock to admit of the miners being brought to the surface. About 150 men were in the mine, and all went well until the raising of the last cage but one, when a terrible accident occurred. On the cage were seven persons- viz, Thomas Adams (51) and his three sons, Thomas 20, James 16 and John 14; David Paterson 32; Robert Hunter, 41 and his son William 17. Before reaching the landing stage it was apparent that the cage was being wound at more than usual speed. The unfortunate men passed the landing stage shouting to the engineman to stop, and before they had time to attempt to get off they were tossed over the pulley wheels, and the cage fell. The result was that James Adams and his brother John were thrown on to a "bing of blaes'' eighty feet distant from the pit mouth, the former being killed on the spot, while the latter was very seriously injured about the head and spine. David Paterson, who was unmarried, was pitched on to the roof of the enginehouse, and afterwards fell to the ground, only surviving his injuries about five minutes. William Hunter was found in the cage, which had stuck fast in the roof, and although taken out alive, he had barely been carried home when he succumbed. The other men were got near the scene of the accident, all more or less seriously injured. Of the remaining four, Robert Hunter was found to be in the most critical condition, and there is no hope whatever of his recovery. Dr Steele and his assistant from Lochgelly, and Dr Nasmyth, Cowdenbeath, were soon on the ground, and rendered what assistance they could. Mr Landale, managing partner of the Company, and Inspector Hunter, of the Fifeshire constabulary, also visited the pit, and in the course of the night Guthrie, the engineman, was arrested and conveyed to Kirkcaldy. The cause of the accident is believed to be overwinding, as the indicator shows that the “drum” had taken one and a half turn more than usual. The winding apparatus was in thoroughgoing condition. Thomas Adams, who is less injured than the rest, was able in the course of the evening to give an account of the winding up the shaft. He stated that during the 40 years he had been engaged in the pits he had never been brought to the bank at such a rapid rate. Guthrie is twenty-five years of age, and has always been considered a good workman. The accident created a great sensation in the village and thousands of miners visited the spot before darkness had set in [Scotsman 16 August 1883]

The Late Colliery Accident at Cowdenbeath  - On Wednesday evening Thomas Adams, miner, Cowdenbeath, who was injured in the colliery accident at Little Raith Colliery on the 15th ult., died from the effects of his injuries. This is now the fourth death. Adams was 51 years of age, and has left a widow and a grown-up family. One of Adams' sons was killed at the time of the accident and other two injured, but the latter are now in the way of recovery. [Scotsman 7 September 1883]

26 January 1884

Cowdenbeath Pit Accidents - Two accidents occurred yesterday in No. 3 pit Cowdenbeath Colliery whereby a man was in each case somewhat seriously injured. By the first accident Peter Gelletly got his left leg broken, and was otherwise bruised, by the fall of a large stone from the roof ; while by the second accident James Henderson was severely injured by a fall of coal from the face, which struck him on the back as he was retreating from the danger. [14 Aug 1884]

28 April 1885

Fatal Accident At A Fifeshire Colliery - Yesterday morning, while two men named John Cormack and Robert Birrell were working in the engine pit Hill of Beath colliery, a large quantity of coal gave way, and before Cormack could escape he was buried under the mass. Birrell was cut about the head and other parts of his body ; but before Cormack was extricated life was extinct. Deceased was 33 years of age, and leaves a widow and four children. [Scotsman 29 April 1885]

31 August 1887

28 February 1888

9 August 1890

2 July 1891

Miner crushed to death at Raith – When work was about to be suspended in the Lady Pit, Raith Colliery, on Thursday afternoon, several tons of stone fell from the roof of the underground workings. Peter Thomson, a miner, was buried among the stones and crushed to death. [Scotsman 4 July 1891]

Cowdenbeath - Fatal Accident - On Thursday a miner named Peter Thomson met with his death in the Raith Colliery. The unfortunate man was engaged at the coal face, and was about to finish his day's labour, when a portion of the roof gave way, which fell on him, killing him instantaneously. Thomson leaves a widow and nine of a family, and much sympathy is expressed for them in their sad bereavement. [Dunfermline Journal 4 July 1891]

24 May 1892

George Hunter, residing at Hill o' Beath, Dunfermline, was received into the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary yesterday suffering from severe injuries to his spine. It appears that while he was working in a mine the previous day a stone fell from the roof and struck him on the back. [Scotsman 25 May 1892]

NB George Hunter died on 28 October 1895 as a result of these injuries

6 October 1892

Fatal Accident – Early on Thursday morning, David Noble, a brusher, lost his life in No 3 Pit of the Cowdenbeath Collieries. It appears that the unfortunate man was in front of a loaded hutch, which he was unable to control. The vehicle knocked him down and crushed him so severely that death ensued in a few minutes after he was brought home. The deceased was over 60 years of age, was a widower, and leaves a grown-up family. [Dunfermline Journal 8 October 1892]

21 November 1893

Fatal Pit Accident – John Nicol (35), a brusher in the employment of the Fife Coal Company, was seriously injured on Tuesday morning by a quantity of stones falling upon him while working in one of the Hill of Beath pits. Nicol died in the course of the evening. Deceased resided in the village of Crossgates. [Scotsman 23 November 1893]

8 May 1894

Three Pit Sinkers Killed in Fife – A sad accident resulting in the loss of three lives occurred yesterday at a pit being sunk for the Fife Coal Company at Kelty Colliery, about nine miles north-east of Dunfermline. The sinking of the pit, which is called the Aitken, and will when finished be one of the largest in Scotland, was begun about a year ago. The shaft will be fully 200 fathoms deep, and a depth of forty fathoms has already been reached. A staff of between 20 and 30 sinkers are at present employed in three shifts by Messrs Irvine Brothers, the Ayrshire pit-sinking contractors. From six o'clock yesterday morning to half past ten o'clock eight men were engaged at the bottom of the shaft in blasting and removing the rubbish. Four of the men had been drawn to the surface, and the remaining four, who had lit the fuses for two shots of gelatine, were being taken up on the kettle. When about ten fathoms from the bottom, one of the men pushed out one of his hands and touched what is called the bunting, which serves as supports for the sides of the shaft. The result was that the kettle was swung violently from one side to the other of the shaft, which is 27 feet by 11 feet wide. The man at the opposite side lost his hold of the kettle, and another swing caused a second man to fall, to be followed shortly afterwards by a third. By this time the engineman had observed by the rope that something was wrong, and he stopped the engine. The fourth man, however, signalled to him to continue winding, and the kettle was brought to the surface. The three men who fell were Charles Clark, belonging to Leven; David Graham, belonging to Kilsyth; and Thomas Wood, residing at Oakfield, Fifeshire. The fourth man, who escaped, is named Martin Slattery, and resides at Oakfield. All the men who fell off the kettle were married, their ages ranging from 25 to 40 years, while Slattery was unmarried. While the kettle was hanging in the shaft, one of the shots went off, and by the time the kettle reached the top the four others had also gone off. The colliery manager, Slattery, and others, descended the shaft, and found the bodies of Clark, Graham and Wood lying at the bottom. Graham was still in life, but died before he could be raised, and the others were dead before they could be reached. Whether the men were killed by the fall or by the explosion is not known, but the other sinkers are of the opinion that death must have resulted from the effects of the fall; and this is to some extent borne out by the fact that very little of the blaes was found upon the bodies. Martin Slattery, the survivor, states that when he saw one after another of his comrades dropping off the kettle he became “mesmerised” and did not know what to do. He, however, clung with both hands to the kettle, and when he heard the first shot go off, just as the last man fell, he pulled the bell-rope, which indicated to the pithead to resume winding. All the bodies were to some extent mutilated, but not sufficient to render them beyond recognition. [Scotsman 9 May 1894]

10 February 1895

Fatal Accident at a Fife Colliery - An accident of a peculiar nature, supposed to be the result of the storm, occurred late on Sunday night at Donibristle colliery. James Bowman, sixty-five years of age, who was employed as an underground engineman at No. 12 pit, was being lowered, when the cage, it is supposed, stuck in the slides, and a length of slack rope was given out. The impediment in the slide wore off, and the cage, thus freed, was precipitated down the shaft, snapping the rope as if it had been cut by a knife. The cage was found at the bottom of the pit, which is 80 fathoms deep, and its condition is described as being like a concertina. Bowman was inside, his body being in a terribly mangled condition. [Scotsman 12 February 1895]

19 June 1895

Fatal Accident at a Fife Colliery – The second mining fatality which has occurred this week in Fife took place yesterday at Cowdenbeath Colliery. William Beveridge, pit repairer, Fulford Street, Cowdenbeath, was repairing an air course in No 7 pit, when a number of large stones fell from the roof and knocked him down. Severe internal injuries were inflicted, from the effects of which the man died within 2 hours. The deceased was 38 years of age. [Scotsman 20 June 1895]

7 August 1895

22 November 1897

Fatal Colliery Accident - Patrick Condron, a labourer, about sixty-five years of ago, was fatally injured at Lassodie colliery on Monday night. After finishing his work he had gone for his jacket, which was hanging on the buffer of a waggon. Another waggon was at this time shunted back upon him, and he was crushed between two buffers, with the result that he died almost immediately. [Scotsman 24 November 1897]

27 September 1898

Fatal Pit Accident – Joseph Hunter, jun., miner, Lassodie, met with an accident in No 11 Pit, Lassodie Colliery, on Tuesday, which has since proved fatal. He had fired a shot, and thinking it had not taken full effect, he applied a pinch to the coal, with the result that a large mass fell upon him. The deceased, who was 36 years of age, leaves a widow and 5 children [Scotsman 29 September 1898].