Ayrshire Accidents 1871-1900

5 July 1871

Fatal Coal Pit Accident – A man named M'Crorie has been killed in No 6 Pit, Annbank Colliery, near Ayr, by a large stone falling upon him from the roof. He leaves a widow and four young children. [Scotsman 10 July 1871]

28 July 1871

Cumnock – Pit Boiler Explosion - An alarming boiler explosion occurred on Friday at Shankston Pit, Cumnock, belonging to the Eglinton Iron Company. Both ends of the boiler were blown a distance of a hundred yards; other three boilers were destroyed, and bricks, stones and pipes were projected in all directions. One of the workmen, Alexander Smith, sustained severe injuries, one of his arms being broken, and his breast and leg crushed by a flying brick. - Glasgow Herald [Scotsman 31 July 1871]

20 February 1873

Kilmarnock – Fatal Pit Accident - Yesterday, a drawer named Wm. Tympany - an unmarried man of middle age, residing at Crosshouse - was accidentally killed at Hayside Colliery, Kilmarnock, The deceased, while engaged drawing coals in the main seam of the pit, pushed a hutch into the open shaft instead of on to the cage, which had not yet descended to receive it, the consequence being that the unfortunate man was precipitated with the hutch to the lower or "splint" seam, a distance of nine fathoms and sustained a fracture of the skull. [Scotsman 21 February 1873]

26 July 1873

Henry M'Guiness, a miner, has been killed by the fall of a large stone in No. 6 pit, Thornton, near Kilmarnock. [Scotsman 28 July 1873]

12 September 1874

A fatal accident has occurred at the Shankstone Pit, near Old Cumnock, belonging to the Eglinton Iron Company. When a party of men were repairing the engine, the props by which it was supported gave way, and the mass of machinery fell, killing one man and seriously injuring three others. [Hamilton Advertiser 19 September 1874]

25 February 1875

Colliery Accident at Patna, Ayrshire - Three Men Killed - A melancholy pit accident occurred on Thursday afternoon at Dalharco Pit, Patna, about nine miles from Ayr, belonging to the Dalmellington Iron Company, by which three men lost their lives and a fourth is so severely injured that fears are entertained regarding his recovery. In connection with Dalharco pit there is an old working which has not been wrought for about eleven years past, and ever since that time appearances of fire have now and again exhibited themselves in the working. About two months ago the proprietors, seeing that the fire was gaining ground, sent a number of their workmen to explore the old working and, if possible, to extinguish the fire, and in this work rapid progress was being made- On Thursday four men were engaged on the first shift at this work —viz., James M'Culloch and Daniel Stevensen, oversmen, and William Bell and Francis Cunningham, miners. Shortly after one o'clock in the forenoon, from some unexplained cause, a fall took place from the roof of the working, completely demolishing the bratticing, putting off the above named four men from their connection with the current of air and locking them up in a space of only a few feet. Nothing was known of this occurrence till about an hour afterwards, when other three men arrived in the pit for the purpose of working on the second shift. After they had descended the shaft and gone some 500 or 600 yards from the face of it, they heard cries for help, and immediately ran to assist. The cries had proceeded from the oversman, M'CuIloch, who was now the only survivor of the catastrophe. When taken up he was much exhausted. On clearing away the rubbish the dead bodies of the other three men were found. The oversman , David Stevenson, and Francis Cunningham were lying locked in each other's arm, and the body of Bell was lying close beside them. All the bodies were such scorched. No time was lost in getting the survivor, M'Culloch, conveyed home, where he was able to relate what he knew of the occurrence. He states that after the bratticing fell, cutting off their communication with the air, he made two attempts to get relief, and at last discovered a hole through which he could with difficulty get his head. He likewise states that he saw Bell and Cunningham make two ineffectual attempts to escape also. About as o'clock the three dead bodies were removed to their homes. David Stevenson, who resided near Dalharco pit, was about 33 years of ace, and leaves a widow and five young children; William Bell resided at Kerse Row, was about 37 years of age, and leaves a widow and three children ; and Francis Cunningham resided at Waterside, was about 20 years of age, and unmarried [Scotsman 27 February 1875]

24 March 1875

Kilmarnock - Pit Accident - Yesterday afternoon, a miner named Wm. Carlin, residing in Low Glencairn Street, was severely injured in Grange Colliery while engaged blasting some whinstone. His left arm was much shattered and his face also considerably bruised. The sufferer was removed to the Infirmary. He is 46 years of age, and married. [Glasgow Herald 25 March 1875]

14 May 1875

Yesterday afternoon, a miner named Wm. Phillips, was killed at Pitcon Pit, Dalry, the property of the Eglinton Iron Company. While engaged at his work in the mine, a fall from the roof took place, and crushed him to death almost instantaneously. It appears that blasting operations had been going on shortly before the accident. Phillips, who was well advanced in years, resided at Pitcon Square. [Glasgow Herald 15 May 1875]

7 June 1875

One Man Killed and Another Severely Injured Near Ayr - On Monday, while a miner, named William Kerr, was working in No. 1 Gadgirth Pit, Annbank Colliery, near Ayr, he met with an accident which has proved fatal He had been making a wedge-hole in the "bottom coal" when a mass of the "head coal," about a ton in weight, fell on him, crushing him under it. He was taken home, where he expired a few hours afterwards. Deceased was upwards of 50 years of age, and has left a widow and 10 children. - About two hours afterwards another serious accident occurred in the same pit in a similar manner. A young man, named David M'Crorie, while engaged at work, was crushed beneath a portion of the "head coal" which fell from the roof. He sustained severe internal and other injuries; and it was afterwards found necessary to amputate his left arm. His injuries are so severe that he is not expected to recover. [Glasgow Herald 9 June 1875]

18 October 1875

Kilmarnock - Fatal Pit Accident - A miner named Wm. Wason was accidentally killed in the Wellington Pit, in this neighbourhood, on Monday. He had been holing in one of the workings when a large mass of coal suddenly gave way, crushing him beneath it. Death was instantaneous. Wason was 45 years of age, and has left a wife and three children, residing in Robertson Place. [Glasgow Herald 20 October 1875]

16 December 1878

A fatal colliery accident occurred on Monday night at No 1 pit, Bellfield Colliery, in the vicinity of Kilmarnock, whereby the pit head man, James McMall and his son aged 10 were killed. McMall in pursuance of his duty went down the pit in order to feed the horses, and was accompanied by his son. After attending to the horses in the main seam, he gave the signal for the cage to be drawn up to the pit head. The cage was accordingly set in motion, and all went well, for about 15 minutes, till an obstruction was encountered and the cage stuck fast in the shaft. McMall thereupon signalled to the engineman to lower the cage, and the engine was reversed, but the cage still remained fast till the wire rope had coiled upon it with a weight of about 30cwt, when it suddenly gave way and, snapping the rope, fell to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of about 50 fathoms. The accident proved fatal to both the occupants of the cage, their bodies being greatly mutilated [The Times 18 December 1878]

27 December 1875

Dalry - Pit Accident - Yesterday a miner named Robert Smith sustained a serious accident while engaged working at the face in the Bleeze coal pit. A large stone had got dislodged in the roof and fell upon him burying him underneath it. The poor fellow lay for over two hours before he was noticed and when relieved he was very much exhausted. Medical aid was at once procured and on examination his injuries were found to be of a dangerous nature, his legs being especially very badly crushed. He also complained of internal pain. Smith is unmarried, and resided with his grandmother, Mrs Stevenson, North Street. [Glasgow Herald 28 December 1875]

16 January 1879

Kilbirnie – Fatal Accident – Yesterday a miner named Michael Duffie. While at work in No 5 Gardnock pit, Kilbirnie, belonging to Messrs Merry & Cuninghame, was killed by a mass of ironstone and rubbish falling upon him. Half an hour elapsed before his body was extricated. He leaves a widow and 5 children. [Scotsman 17 January 1879]

3 July 1879

Dalry – Fatal Pit Accident – Yesterday morning, a miner named David Gemmell, employed at No 4 Blair ironstone pit, Dalry, Ayrshire, belonging to Messrs Wm. Baird & Co., was instantaneously killed by a fall of stone from the roof. The deceased was about 60 years of age, and resided at Peesweep Row, Dalry. [Scotsman 4 July 1879]

7 July 1879

Kilmarnock – Fatal Pit Accident - Yesterday morning a miner named James Fulton, eighteen years of age, who resided with his grandfather at Hurlford, was killed by a fall of stone from the roof while at work in the Wellington pit, Portland Colliery. [Scotsman 8 July 1879]

5 August 1879

Fatal Boiler Explosion at Kilmarnock - On Wednesday evening the boiler of the Baltic coalpit, belonging to Mr John Howie, coalmaster, Hurlford, exploded. The end was carried to a distance of more than 20 yards, while the boiler itself was carried a distance of 150 yards in the opposite direction. The fireman Adam Spence Houston was so severely injured by the water, steam, and debris that he died a few hours after. A watchman and his son sitting beside the place escaped with some slight bruises. The engine houses were made a total wreck. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. Houston is married, and leaves a wife and one child. [Hamilton Advertiser August 9 1879]

17 October 1879

Stevenston – Two Lives Lost – Yesterday morning Robert Macdonald, fireman, and Francis O'Brien, brusher, were accidentally killed in Lucknow Pit, by being buried under a portion of the roof which gave way. [Scotsman 18 October 1879]

2 May 1881

Kilmarnock - Fatal Pit Accident - Yesterday morning Joseph McKillop, a miner, aged 33 years, unmarried, and residing with a sister at Hurlford, was accidentally killed by a fall of coal from the roof of No. 18 Pit of Skerrington Colliery. [Scotsman 3 May 1881]

27 May 1882

Dalry – Miner Killed – On Saturday a young man named Thomas Gaw, 18, while engaged filling a hutch in No 4 Blair Pit, the property of the Messrs Baird, was killed by a fall from the roof. [Scotsman 30 May 1882]

26 August 1882

Kilmarnock Pit Accident - On Saturday Peter Burt, a miner, residing in High Street, was severely injured by a fall of coal from the roof while at work in No. 12 pit of Hillhead Colliery. [Scotsman 28th August 1882]

18 January 1883

Accidents - Fatal Result - On Thursday evening John Watson, a pithead labourer, employed at Hillhead Colliery, died from the effects of an accident which befel him that afternoon. It appears that he was spragging a waggon containing six tons of coals as it was coming down a small incline, when he missed his footing, fell before it, and the wheels passed over him, severely crushing his left thigh and otherwise injuring him internally. He was conveyed to the Infirmary, but nothing could be done to avert the fatal result. The deceased was 18 years of age, unmarried, and had for for some time been staying with a brother in Dunlop Street. His mother resides in High Street. [The Ayr Advertiser 25 January 1883]

22 February 1883

Fatal Accident - On Friday, while an old man named George Moon, 61 years, was holeing at the face of No 14 Ironstone Pit Common, of the Eglinton Iron Company, the joint of stone fell on him, fracturing his skull and killing him instantly. Deceased was one of the first workmen employed as a miner when the works were opened 40 years ago, and he had continued to work ever since. [The Ayr Advertiser 1 March 1883]

25 March 1883

Dalry - Fatal Accident - On Thursday afternoon Patrick Smith, miner, while at work in No 4 Ironstone Pit, the property of the Eglinton Iron Coy., was struck by a fall of stone from the roof, and very severely crushed about the head and body. He was removed home, and medical attention called in, but the poor man, after suffering a great deal, died on Sunday morning. [The Ayr Advertiser 29 March 1883]

6 April 1883

Cumnock - Fatal Accident - On Friday a lad named Barbour, aged 14 years, was killed in No. 6 Braehead Pit, belonging to the Eglinton Iron Company, by falling down from the high doors in the pit to the bottom of the shaft. He was got up to the engine-house alive, but shortly afterwards expired. He resided with his parents in Sack Row, Common. [The Ayr Advertiser 12 April 1883]

17 May 1883

Fatal Pit Accident - On Thursday night, shortly before midnight, a lamentable accident occurred in the Nursery Pit, near London Road, at present being sunk for Mr Allan Gilmour. The pit had been sunk to the depth of 48 fathoms, and three men named John Dudgeon, John Lindsay, and Richard Dunston were engaged on the night shift blasting a seam of whinstone. They made three holes which they filled with dynamite, and each applied his lamp to a fusee, but unfortunately the whole of the three lamps were blown out by the ignited powder, and the men having no means of relighting them were left in darkness. They then entered the kettle in order to proceed to the surface, and cried to the engineman to take them up cautiously, as, in the absence of light, a wooden division which extended down the shaft to a distance of eight fathoms from the bottom was a source of danger to the occupants of the unsteady kettle. Care appears to have been taken, but as ill-luck would have it, Dudgeon came in contact with the partition, and being precipitated to the foot of the shaft was instantaneously killed. He was 47 years of age, and resided at 12 Soulis Street, where he has left a widow and six children. [The Ayr Advertiser 24 May 1883]

11 June 1883

Pit Accident - On Thursday afternoon, Daniel M'Gill, collier, Galston, 22 years of age, unmarried, and the only support of his mother, was severely injured in No. 4 pit, occupied by Messrs Howie. He was engaged at work when a fall of coal and clay from the roof fell on him. He had his back broken and besides sustained a comnimulated fracture of the right thigh. He was conveyed to the Infirmary here, where he lies in rather a critical state. [The Ayr Advertiser 19 April 1883]
Daniel McGill was injured on 12th April and died 11th June 1883 of a fractured spine

16 June 1883

Irvine – Two Miners Killed – Two miners named John Ramsay, aged 36, and John Heron, 22, were killed on Saturday morning at Caprington pit, Irvine, belonging to Bourtreehill Coal and Fire-clay Company. They were engaged in making communication through twelve feet of solid coal, when a quantity of rubbish came away without warning, and buried both men. The bodies have not yet been recovered. [Scotsman 18 June 1883]

19 July 1883

Kilwinning - Serious Pit Accident - On Thursday morning, a serious pit accident occurred at Redburn Pit, in the pariah of Kilwinning, when a lad named James Shearer 17 or 18 years of age, was very seriously injured. It seems that Shearer had been riding on a pony drawing hutches, when he accidentally fell off and was run over by several of the hutches. [The Ayr Advertiser 26 July 1883]

24 July 1883

Galston - Fatal Accident - At No. 1 Pit of the Gauchalland Coal Coy. on Tuesday a sad accident happened, whereby Alexander Murdoch, a miner, lost his life. He had been working at a "blind" shank where the full hutches are lowered to the main seam and afterwards drawn to the surface by the main shank. It seems Murdoch had thought the cage was at the mouth, and stepping into the darkness, disappeared down the shank, a depth of 15 fathoms, and was killed instantaneously. Deceased was a young man, and was married only a few weeks ago. [The Ayr Advertiser 26 July 1883]

28 November 1883

Cumnock - Pit Accident - Early on Wednesday morning John Burns, a brusher, employed on the night-shift in Knockterra coal pit, belonging to the Eglinton Iron Coy., was killed by a stone falling upon him from the roof. Deceased had just been preparing to leave when the accident happened. He leaves a widow and four children, who reside in Tanyard. [The Ayr Advertiser 29 November 1883]

1 December 1883

Kilmarnock - Fatal Pit Accident - On Friday afternoon a miner, named James Wright, 17 years of age, son of and residing with William John Wright, miner, at Crookedholm, was fatally injured. He was at work in one of the pits of Skerrington Colliery when a quantity of coal fell upon him from the roof, and he was so severely injured in the head and shoulders that he died a few hours after the accident, never having recovered consciousness. [The Ayr Advertiser 6 December 1883]

12 December 1883

Kilmarnock - Man Killed At Hurlford - In the Kilmarnock district the storm was felt to an almost unprecedented extent, and in town more damage has been done to property than by any previous hurricane of recent years, the reason of this probably being the north-west direction and peculiarly eddying character of the gusts. Many trees have been uprooted, palings have everywhere been torn down, and the roofs of several houses have been seriously damaged. No accident resulting in personal injury has been reported in town, but a melancholy fatality has occurred at Hurlford, the unfortunate victim being William Ross, engineman at No. 6 pit, Portland Colliery. He was last seen alive at one o'clock, when a cage with men was drawn from the pit, and he was then left on duty at the engine-house. About five o'clock, on the firemen proceeding to their work at the pit, they found the engine-house a mass of ruins, two chimney stalks adjacent to it having been blown down and crashed through the roof. On a portion of the debris being cleared away the remains of Ross were found in a shockingly mangled condition. Deceased was 25 years of age, and has left a widow and three children, who reside in Academy Street, Hurlford. [The Ayr Advertiser 13 December 1883]

27 May 1884

Fatal Colliery Accident – An accident whereby a miner named Isaac M'Lachlan lost his life occurred at Pennievennie Pit, near Dalmellington, on Wednesday night. It seems that M'Lachlan had been working at the roof of the pit, and had accidentally stumbled off the scaffolding; but as no person was near him at the time, it is not known exactly how the accident occurred. He belonged to Dalmellington. [Edinburgh Courant 30 May 1884]

13 November 1884

Cumnock Serious Accident - Yesterday afternoon, a lad named Steele, belonging to Auchinleck, and employed at the Ballochmyle Colliery, was run over by two 6-ton wagons filled with coal, and his legs were shockingly crushed. He was removed to Lady Bute's Hospital, where both legs were amputated at the knee joints. [Scotsman 14 Nov 1884]

11 February 1887

Beith - Sad Death of a Miner - On Friday forenoon, a sad accident occurred in Barmill Pit, the property of the Barmill Coal Company, whereby an employee named Alexander Colquhoun was instantaneously killed. Colquhoun, along with several others, had been engaged undermining or "pooling" the seam of coal, when a fall unexpectedly took place, and a large stone, weighing upwards of a ton, fell upon Colquhoun's head. With the assistance of pinches his companions extricated the poor fellow, but his head was so terribly crushed that there was not the slightest sign of life left. One of Colquhoun's sons was a witness of the shocking accident. He resided in Main Street, Beith, was about forty years of age, and leaves a widow and nine or ten of a family wholly unprovided for. [The Ayr Advertiser 17 February 1887]

5 March 1887

Galston - Fatal Pit Accident - On Saturday forenoon a fatal pit accident occurred in No. 4 Gauchalland Pit. A bottomer named Henderson, who was engaged at what in mining language is known as "a blind shank," was found crushed to death beside the drum. It is supposed he had been in the act of assisting the motor power, and had been fatally caught when no one was near to help. He leaves a widow and young family. [The Ayr Advertiser 10 March 1887]

26 June 1887

Stevenston - Man Drowned - On Sunday night Wm. Baird, watchman at No. 5 Pit, Auchenharvie Colliery, was drowned in an open drain which leads the water from the above pit to Stevenston Burn. Shortly before 9 p.m. Baird was observed by some young men to be replacing turf which had given way in the side of the drain. Twenty minutes later he was found at the same place, with his face down in the drain, in ten inches of water. He was subject to epileptic fits, and it is believed he had taken one and fallen into the drain. He was dead before he was taken out of the water. Deceased was unmarried, and resided at Schoolwell Street. [The Ayr Advertiser 30 June 1887]

28 June 1887

Catrine - Fatal Accident - Mr John Roonie, residing at Ayr Street, Catrine, met with an accident on Tuesday which has proved fatal in its consequences. Deceased was engaged trimming waggons at Gilmilnscroft Colliery and accidentally fell upon the top of one of them. After being brought home, Dr D. Sloan, who was in attendance, found that he was suffering from concussion of the brain, to which he succumbed on Wednesday morning. He was 67 years of age, was a man of sober and industrious habits, and leaves two of a family, who are grown up. [The Ayr Advertiser 30 June 1887]

10 September 1887

Fatal Pit Accident - On Saturday morning a miner named Andrew Main, residing in Academy Street, Riccarton, was accidentally killed by a fall of stone from the roof of No. 8 Portland Pit, Hurlford, belonging to the Eglinton Iron Company. Death appears to have been instantaneous, the pick with which the unfortunate man was working having been driven into his head. A miner named Andrew Hope received some injury from another fall of stone while he was engaged extricating the body of the deceased. Main, who was 46 years of age, leaves a widow and three children, who are inmates of the Industrial School. [The Ayr Advertiser 15 September 1887]

22 December 1887

Dalry - Fatal Result of an Accident - The man Hugh Callaghan who was so seriously crushed between some waggons at the Carsehead pit on Wednesday last, died the day following from the result of his injuries. He was buried on Saturday, the funeral being attended by the Orangemen of the district in their regalia. [The Ayr Advertiser 29 December 1887]

21 February 1888

Fatal Pit Accident - Yesterday morning Robert Currie, collier, Hurlford, was accidentally killed in the comet pit, Skerrington colliery. He was working in the mid coal and had gone on the cage, when from some cause it stuck in the shaft. The engineman, not knowing it had stuck; continued to let the rope go on. The weight of the rope on the cage is thought to have precipitated it at a run to the bottom of the shaft, a depth of about 10 fathoms. Currie was instantaneously killed. The deceased was twenty years of age and engaged to be married in about a month. [Scotsman 22 February 1888]

11 April 1888

Yesterday, in the Bellfield colliery, Kilmarnock a contractor named Hutton who was making a road in the pit, was so severely crushed by a fall from the roof that he lived only a few minutes. [Scotsman 12 April 1888]

16 & 18 June 1888

Fatal Pit Accident - On Monday afternoon Thomas Woods, collier, 27 years of age, residing at Crookedholm, was accidentally killed in No. 18 pit, Skerrington colliery, Hurlford. He was working at the major seam, and had brought a hutch to the shaft to place on the cage to be taken up. Unfortunately the cage was not there, which he did not observe, and he was precipitated with the hutch to the bottom, a depth of twenty fathoms. M'Cormick, the survivor of the two men who met with an accident at the same colliery on Saturday, is not expected to recover. [Scotsman 20 June 1888]

Fatal Result of an Accident - Yesterday William M'Cormick, miner, Galston Road, Hurlford, died in the Infirmary from the effects of the accident that befell him in the Conut pit, Skerrington colliery, Hurlford, last Saturday. [Scotsman 21 June 1888]

16 August 1888

Fatal Mining Accident - Yesterday morning, as a collier named John M'Cormick was at work in the Eglinton Iron Company's pit at Glengyron driving an air-course, a fall from the roof came down upon him, killing him instantly. He leaves a widow and seven young children. [Scotsman 17 August 1888]

20 January 1890

Dreghorn - Fatal Coal Pit Accident - On Monday a man named Currie, while at work in the coal pits at Plann, lost his life by a fall of material from the roof. [Glasgow Herald 23 January 1890]

18 April 1894

Kilmarnock - Fatal Result of an Accident - Yesterday morning, John Higgins, miner, Union Street, died in the Infirmary from the effects of a severe burning he sustained in the Nursery Pit last week by an explosion of fire-damp. [Glasgow Herald 27 April 1894]

On Wednesday week an explosion of fire-damp occurred in the Nursery Pit, by which John Higgins, Union Street, and a lad named Campbell, who resides in New Street, were severely burnt on the face, arms and chest. The pit had only been re-opened that day, after having been closed for some time on account of an overflow of water in the Wellington Pit. The injured persons were removed in a cab to their respective homes, where they were attended by Drs Donald, Macleod, Rankin and Laurie, who, after consultation, ordered their removal to the Infirmary. We are glad to learn that the injured men are progressing favourably. [The Ayr Advertiser 26 April 1894]

Fatal Result of an Accident - James Higgins, miner, who was severely burned by an explosion of fire-damp in the Nursery Pit a fortnight ago, died in the Infirmary last Wednesday night from the effects of his injuries. The unfortunate man, who was 34 years of age, leaves a widow and young family. He was a brother of the famous professional football player, and a very respectable man, having for a time taken a good deal of interest in the work of the local corps of the Salvation Army. We are informed that deceased would have escaped uninjured from the explosion had it not been for the gallant effort he made to save the lad Campbell, who was working with him, and who was also severely burned. [The Ayr Advertiser 3 May 1894]

19 October 1894

Miner Killed At Galston - George Robertson, Broweland Street, Galston, a married man, was killed yesterday afternoon in the Maxwood Colliery by a stone from the root falling upon him. [Scotsman 20 October 1894]

25 March 1895

Fatal Pit Accident - John M'Ghee, a pit bottomer, was accidentally killed yesterday by a cage coming down upon him while at work in Windyedge Pit, Caprington Colliery, Kilmarnock. He was about thirty-five years of age, and has left a widow, and three children. [Scotsman 26 March 1895]

15 June 1896

The Coal Mines Regulation - At the Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday, Robert Banks, colliery manager, Bellfield pleaded guilty to a contravention of the Coal Mines Regulation Act by failing to see that the main coal seam of No. 1 Bellfield Pit was properly ventilated, and not providing proper air-way, stoppings, and bratticing to convey the current to the working-places. He pleaded guilty. It was stated that, owing to the inadequacy of the ventilation, an explosion of fire-damp occurred ,in the pit, and three men were injured, one of whom died. The Sheriff imposed a penalty of £10, or twenty days' imprisonment. [Scotsman 4 August 1896]

3 August 1896

Man Killed Near Irvine - A fatal accident occurred yesterday at the little mining village of Overton, in the Dreghorn parish. It appears that a miner named James M'Ivor was engaged in one of the pits blasting the coal, and after inserting a shot, he left until it went off. As it did not not seem to catch properly, the unfortunate man went forward for the purpose of relighting the fuse, when it suddenly went off, coming right up on him; He was very severely injured, and died before many minutes passed. [Scotsman 4 August 1896]

17 June 1897

Fatal Pit Accident - Yesterday afternoon a collier named David Storrie, thirty-eight years of age, residing in Kilmarnock, was instantaneously killed by the fall of a stone upon him from the roof while at work in No. 8 pit of. Bonnyton colliery, belonging to Messrs Gilmour Anderson, & Co. Deceased has left & widow and four children. [Scotsman 18 June 1897]

15 May 1899

Ayr - Fatal Accident Inquiries - Two mining fatalities were the subject of inquiry before Sheriff Orr Paterson and a jury in the Sheriff Court, Ayr, yesterday. One inquiry had reference to the death of Peter Savage, fireman, who was killed in No. 1 Pit, Drumley, on the 15th May. The jury found that deceased, while acting as batteryman or shot-firer, was severely injured by the explosion of a charge of amois which was connected with an electric battery and that the accident was caused through his remaining near to the shot hole and testing the cable without disconnecting the charge. [Glasgow Herald 1 June 1899]

5 & 8 November 1900

Two Ayrshire Pit Fatalities - John Richmond miner, residing at Auchinleck, has died from injuries received by a fall from the roof, while he was working at the face in No. 2 Highhouse pit, in the parish of Cumnock. His brother George Richmond, who was working along with him, was severely injured by the same fall, but is recovering. Robert Law, miner, residing in Mauchline Road, Ochiltree, was killed by a fall of stone from the roof of No. 1 Whitehill pit, in the parish of Cumnock, where he was working at the coal face. [Scotsman 13 November 1900]