Friday 19 July 1867, Western Daily Press
Fatal Colliery Accident at Clutton
On Wednesday Mr S. Craddock held an inquest at the Warwick Arms, Clutton, on the bodies of Jabez Cook, aged 51, and George Collier, aged 14, who were killed at Fry’s Bottom Pit on 8th inst. It appears from the evidence of Mr Reuben Beacham, manager of the colliery, that on the day mentioned the deceased were working alone in the under seam making overtime. When the night men went down , at seven o’clock, they found that an irruption of water had taken place, and that the supply of air to the deceased had been thereby cut off. The bodies of the deceased were not found until Sunday last, when it was apparent that life had been extinct for some time. The water had not extended to them, and it was evident that the deceased had died from want of air. Mr Lionel Brough, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Mines for this district stated that he examined the pit on Wednesday 10th inst., with a view of ascertaining how the accident took place. On each occasion he had spent a considerable portion of time exploring the workings. He found that the inundation of water had brought down such debris, and in fact had obstructed the ventilation so that the supply of pure air was rendered extremely difficult; nerveless the managers and workmen did all that men could possibly effect, it became a work of time and great fatigue, and also of considerable danger, in which he (witness) shared, as far as time went, when he was actually in the pit. In 1864 he took pains to ascertain if there were any openings in the Fry’s Bottom Colliery, and found that certain pits did not exist there, and he had interviews on the subject with Mr George Feare, who represented certain members of the company. There were in reality no other openings that the main winding or upeast shaft, although he did not mean to say that the colliery was in a state strictly in obedience to the Act of Parliament. Notwithstanding that, there were passages for ventilation, and also to a certain extent, for escape in case of dander or alarm. The colliery to the deep was worked out, as far as he could ascertain, but there were no ancient maps to show how much or exactly where it lay. It was stated on oath that obedience to the fifteenth general rule, which provided for bore holes, was observed, but that observance commenced only two days before the accident which brought about the death of the two persons now under investigation. He should have preferred that before commencing to bore all hands were removed from the workings; in fact, that none but the boring party were under ground at all. On the contrary, he had to repeat that all hand exerted themselves with great zeal and courage in recovering the bodies. He thought that the disturbance of earth by boring brought down the water, and if they went on with the colliery they must keep boring, but he hoped they would shut it up. The Coroner said there appeared to be no blame attached to the manager or any other person, but if there had been maps of the old workings the accident would never have occurred. Verdict of “Accidentally suffocated.”
Saturday 22 July 1876, Weston Mercury
On Saturday morning, a young man named Henry Lloyd, a stoker, employed by the Clutton Coal Company, was engaged in his occupation with the engine used to convey the coal in trucks from the coalpits to the railway station, over the tramroad lately constructed, when it was necessary for him to turn a point a short distance from the station, and for that purpose he was walking alongside the engine, which was going at a slow pace, with one hand resting in front of it, when by some means he fell across the rails in front of the engine, which passed over his body, killing him instantly.
Friday 31 December 1880, Western Gazette
Clutton – Extraordinary Escape In Coal Pit
A correspondent communicates the following unparalleled circumstance, which has occurred in a coal pit at Clutton, called “The Gravel Pit,” owned by the Earl of Warwick. The cage containing colliers was being drawn up to the top, when a young man George Brinwell, about 18 or 19 years of age, was observed by his companions to fall to a sitting posture, and in a moment he was through the cage. Directly it arrived at the pit’s mouth the information was given that the unfortunate young man was at the bottom of the pit. Every preparation was made, and as quickly as possible the cage was lowered, and his companions, expecting to find his mangled remains were almost loth to commence the search. However, they did so, and not a vestige of humanity or clothing could they find. At last they determined to ascend and give the result of their search. In the meantime the sorrowing mother had been prepared to receive the body of her son. They had got rather more than halfway up the pit, when they thought they heard cries for help, and giving the signal, the cage was stopped, and a voice was distinctly heard saying “Take me Up.” “This must have been his voice,” said his companions, and with hair standing on end with fright and consternation, they prepared for the downward journey. They had, however, not got far before they heard again, “You have gone too far.” And such proved the case. The poor young man had fainted as he was coming up and fallen through the cage, but by an interposition of Providence, he had fallen at the very nick of time into an old doorway about halfway up the pit, and when the cage was coming up had so far recovered as to be able to signify his desire to be pulled up with his comrades. The joy of the mother can be imagined, as also the feeling of gladness in the hearts of his sympathising comrades.
Saturday 4 August 1888, Weston-super-Mare Gazette, and General Advertiser
Ambrose George Palfrey, a Clutton miner, has died in Bristol Hospital from the effects of Lockjaw, the result of an accident, a piece of coal falling on his thumb while at work.
Saturday 30 November 1889, Somerset Standard
Clutton – Colliery Accident
A young man met with a distressing accident at the Clutton Colliery on Thursday. He was engaged on the surface, where the coal is screened and cleaned, and close to where he worked is an engine and machinery used for the purpose of screening the coal. Whether or not he was starting the engine does not seem clear, but his right arm was caught in some cogs wheels and smashed almost to pulp. The poor fellow was taken to the Bath Hospital.
Saturday 4 October 1890, Somerset Standard
High Littleton – Serious Charge Against Boy
At Temple Cloud Petty Sessions, on Tuesday, George Hillman, 14, labourer, of High Littleton, appeared to a summons charging with placing a chain across the Greyfield Railway with intent to obstruct an engine and trucks. Samuel Beacham, an engine driver in the employ of the Earl of Warwick, deposed that he had charge of the engine running between Greyfield Colliery and Clutton station. On the morning of the 13th August he was running the engine to Clutton Station, when a heavy chain used in shunting fell from the engine on to the side of the railway near a place called Moore’s Gully. He passed it three times that morning. On coming down with a train of coal later on he saw the chain had been placed three times across one rail; he could not stop the engine, but ran into the obstruction, the engine driving it about a dozen yards along the rail, when the front wheel jumped the obstruction and next skidded off. It would have been an awkward place for an accident, as there was a deep gulley there by the line. Acting Sergeant Masters said he received information of the matter and spoke to the prisoner about it, and after being duly cautioned the prisoner admitted placing the chain across the line and signed a written confession to that effect in the presence of witness and Mr Spear, Lord Warwick’s colliery agent. The prisoner now pleaded not guilty, and said that the sergeant frightened him into making the confession. The case was adjourned to the next session for Mr Spear to be called, and for prisoner to call evidence of an alibi.
Friday 24 October 1890, Shepton Mallet Journal
Temple Cloud
Petty Session Tuesday – Before Messrs W. Adlam, C. A. Kemble, W . W. Kettlewell, and H. E. Hippisley, and Captain Phillip. George Hillman, 15, appeared to a charge of placing a heavy chain on the Greyfield branch railway, with intent to obstruct and engine and trucks. The case was partly heard last session, and the prisoner was now discharged.
Thursday 18 January 1894, Wells Journal
Clutton – Accident
A somewhat serious accident occurred at Clutton station on Wednesday morning. It appears that the locomotive used for conveying coal from Clutton Colliery to the Great Western Railway was out of repair, and in order to keep up with the work, the men were letting the waggons of coal down the incline by means of the brakes; but, owing to the slippery state of the metals, the brakes would not act, and eight wagons precipitated into a number of others that were loaded, with the result that eight of the wagons were smashed to splinters, and a man named Beechin had his foot injured. A breakdown gang from Bristol were soon on the scene, and the debris was cleared away.
Thursday 15 September 1904, Wells Journal
At Clutton, Somerset, on Tuesday, a miner named Albert Turner was killed whilst working in Greyfield pit, by a large stone falling upon him. The deceased, who was a Primitive Methodist local preacher, leaves a wife and seven children.
Friday 7 October 1904, Somerset Standard
Collier Accident at Clutton
A sad accident occurred at the Greyfield Colliery, Clutton, on Saturday morning, to a young man named Edward Bush, aged 30 years. The deceased was employed as a hitcher at the bottom of the incline, and was at work sending up the waggons, when, from some means, the chain attached to a loaded waggon broke. The poor fellow was caught between two waggons and instantly killed. This is the second fatal accident which has occurred at the colliery within three weeks.
An inquest was held on the body of deceased at the Railway Inn, on Tuesday, before Dr. Samuel Craddock (coroner for North Somerset). Messrs. Twist and E. Spear represented the Colliery Company, and Mr J. Norman watched the case on behalf of the Miners’ Association. Mr J. Martin (His Majesty’s Inspector of Mines) was also present. Joseph Howe, in his evidence, stated that he heard a waggon running down the incline faster than usual, and proceeding to the bottom of the incline he found the deceased crushed to death. Mr C. Purnell (day bailiff) gave evidence relative to the incline and chains, and stated that there was a manhole five yards from the bottom of the incline, and five others at different places in the incline. Mr Martin (inspector of mines) said probably there was a jerk o the chain. The coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of “accidental death.”
Tuesday 14 September 1909, Western Daily Press, Bristol
A Clutton Colliery Flooded
Miners Rescued With Difficulty
About two o’clock yesterday, water broke into the underground workings of the Greyfield Colliery, the water rising quickly to a depth of four or five feet. Nearly 400 men were employed at the time of the accident, and it was with great difficulty that some of the men reached the bottom of the shaft. Fortunately all the men were got up safely, the last man being landed about five o’clock. Quite a number of vehicles were requisitioned to convey the miners home, who live at a great distance from the pit, some of the men being almost exhausted. It is expected that some weeks must elapse before the men will be able to resume work in the part of the mine that is flooded.
Thursday 26 October 1911, Wells Journal
Clutton – Colliery Accident
On Monday afternoon an accident with fatal results occurred at the new Clutton Colliery, adjacent to Clutton Railway Station. The coal at this colliery is brought to the surface by means of an incline, and some loaded waggons were being drawn up when the couplings broke, and one or more of the waggons ran back down the incline, and knocked over a man named James Selway, who was employed as a bailiff at the colliery. The unfortunate man, who was about 50 years of age, received shocking injuries, from which he died almost immediately. He leaves a widow and several children.
Saturday 28 October 1911, Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette
The Clutton Colliery Fatality
On Thursday afternoon Mr S. Craddock (Coroner for North Somerset) held an inquest at the Colliery Offices, Clutton, into the circumstances attending the death of James Selway, a bailiff employed at the Clutton New Colliery, which is owned by the Clutton and Greyfield Colliery Company. The deceased was killed on Monday last, in the incline of the colliery, having been jammed between some waggon loads of coal and the side of the incline. Mr T. Boydell (H. M. Inspector of Mines) and Mr S. H. Whitehouse (Miners’ agent) attended the inquiry. William Evans, who was in charge of the journey at the time of the accident, stated that the deceased told him to start the journey, and he (the deceased) would put the drag down. The last four waggons came away, and ran back down the incline. Witness went back, and found the deceased was jammed by the loads against the side of the road. All four tubs had left the metals, and the deceased was under the rear tub. When liberated he was quite dead. The jury expressed the opinion that no blame was attached to anyone concerned.
Friday 12 June 1914, Somerset Standard
Charles Whittock, 39, living at Clutton, was coming up the shaft at New Pit, Clutton, on Sunday night, on a tank, when owing to an accident to the rope, he became pinned down by it, and his spine was fractured. A call was sent to the St. John Ambulance, who speedily conveyed him to the Bristol General Hospital in a very serious condition.
Friday 22 October 1915, Wells Journal
Somerset Colliery Fatality
At the Warwick Arms, Clutton, on Friday, Mr S. Craddock (Coroner for North Somerset) held an inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Albert Brimble, a coal miner employed at the Clutton Collieries, who died on Wednesday following injuries received through an accident in the pit the same day.
Joel Brimble, of Cook’s Lane, Clutton, stated that deceased was his son, and was only 19 years of age.
Bertie Evans, a coal miner employed at the Clutton Colliery, stated that on the morning in question he was working underground, and was following about ten yards behind the deceased, who was pushing a tram. Witness noticed there was a span of timber put across the roof, and immediately the deceased came under it the span came out, and part of the roof fell in on the deceased, who was completely buried under the debris. The amount of stuff that fell on the deceased was about 20 cwt. Or 30 cwt. In about two minutes the deceased was extricated and removed to his home. At this particular spot, about six weeks previously, an unsuccessful attempt was made to get a stone down from the roof, and the span was put up for the purpose of making it more secure. It was this stone which now fell down and part of the roof with it.
Mark Brice, an examiner at the colliery, gave evidence of having tested the span at 6:40 on the morning of the accident, which took place at 9:40 a.m. When witness tested the place it appeared quite safe.
Dr. T, Martin, of Temple Cloud, deposed to being called to the deceased home at 10:15 a.m., and described the injuries sustained by deceased, who passed away at 3:15 p.m. the same day.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” attaching no blame to anyone.
Friday 4 February 1916, Central Somerset Gazette
Clutton Colliery Fatality
At the Red Lion Hotel, Paulton, on Friday afternoon, Mr. S. Craddock (Coroner for North Somerset) held an inquest on the body of Albert Evans, coal miner, of High Littleton, who died at the Paulton Cottage Hospital on Wednesday, as a result of injuries sustained at the collieries the previous day. Among those present at the inquiry were Mr Rowley (H. M. Inspector of Mines), Mr S. H. Whitehouse (Somerset miners’ agent), and Mr T. Twist (Manager of the colliery). The first witness was Bertie Evans (son of the deceased), who stated that his father was 53 years of age. On Wednesday morning, about 6:30, witness was about five yards in front of his father, was walking down the dipple at the Clutton Colliery to their place of work on what was known as the Dabchick vein. Witness suddenly heard a stone fall from the roof, and going on back, saw his father in a kneeling position, with the stone resting on his back. Witness at once extricated his father, who was groaning. He was familiar with the place where the fall occurred. In fact, he had been passing the spot every day, and did not notice anything wrong with the place on this particular morning. The place appeared to be timbered satisfactorily, as far as the witness could see. Walter Chapple, a night bailiff and examiner at the pit, deposed to examining the spot when he went on duty the night following the accident, and stated that in his opinion the stone had fallen owing to a faulty slip. There were three supports under the place, which in his opinion was sufficient. He sounded the stone, in question at 4:30 on the morning of the accident, and found it all right. Dr. Miall, of Paulton, described the injuries sustained, and in the end the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”