Mexborough and Swinton Times November 7, 1908

Killed By Complications.
Veteran Swinton Miner’s Death.
Heart Failure And Accident.

There was considerable interest attached t0 an inquest held on Tuesdav afternoon, by Mr. D. Wightman, District Coroner, on the body of Thos. Vickers (61) miner, of Swinton Bridge who died on Friday, after being confined to bed by an accident which befel him at the Manvers Main Collieries (No. 2 pit) on Oct. 6th.

Mr. W. Walker. H.M. Inspector of Mines was present. and the relatives of the deceased were represented by Mr. W. E. Raley (Barnsley), the Manvers Main Colliery Company being represented by Mr. A. T. Thomson. general manager and Mr. W. Robson, under-manager.

The body was identified by deceased’s son. Daniel Vickers who said his father was 61 years old, and had worked in the mine for 53 years. He had worked at Manvers Main for over 20 years, and was a healthy man. Deceased was injured on the 6th of October and had remained at home since witness having lived with him. Deceased had been attended by Dr. Blythman up to his death, which occurred on Friday.

Did your father tell you how it happened? —No. sir.

Ur. Walker: Was he seriously injured at the time ?—We did not think so.

The Coroner: Did he think so?—No. sir.

Mr. Walker: Was he able to get about?—He has been bed-fast.

Do you know whether he reported the accident to the colliery officials?—it was reported. sir.

Dr. Arthur Ellis Blythman, surgeon,practising at Swinton, said he had attended Vickers since the accident. He had diagnosed him as suffering from contusions of the back, but his spinal cord was not affected. He was badly bruised but no bones were broken. The actual cause of death was heart failure, brought about by passive congestion of the lungs. The primary cause he would put down to the accident, and the active cause failure of the heart through congestion of the lungs.

The coroner: Was it brought on naturally from the injury?–From the injury.

Mr. Walker: Did you think the injury serious?—Not serious “per se,” but on the 10th I saw his condition was becoming serious through congestion of the lungs. He progressed satisfactorily until his heart was unable to stand the strain.

The Coroner: Is it any part of your duty when you are called in to a colliery case to report it to the Company?—Only if the accident appears to be serious.

Thos. Hill, miner, said he was deceased’s mate. On the 6th of October he entered the pit at the usual time, five in the morning. He started “drawing wood” in the —Old Fives” district, and deceased was “setting” for him. He had drawn all the props but to, and Vickers said, “I’ll leave you,” and went to look after the trammers while witness got the remaining two out. He got them out and went to assist deceased to prise some coal off the face. Then deceased started to sprag the coal up, and witness left him again.

In two or three minutes he heard a shout from the trammers, and went back. Witness was scared, and cried, “When is he?” (Meaning deceased).

He saw Vickers sat on the ground, where he had been thrown by about three tons of the coal, which had been spragging. He was pinned against a tub at his back. He was quite sensible, and said to witness when he freed him, “them spraggs have saved me.” He had not been buried, and was able to pull himself out. He complained only of the injuries to his back. He was taken out on the ambulance apparatus. The injuries he received were got by been thrown against the tub.

Reply to Mr Walker, he said he thought there must have been a “bump.”

The Coroner said that so far as he was concerned he wanted nothing more. The last witness, was a sound practical man, was telling the truth, then Vickers met his death by the accident, and they could make no more of it than that.