Lothians Accidents 1871-1900

This section contains newspaper reports on accidents in the Lothians between 1871 and 1900 inclusive. Please check the indexes in the Accidents Section for reports by the Inspector of Mines and accidents in other areas.

11 January 1871

Fatal Colliery Accident - On Wednesday morning, three waggons broke loose from a train of coal trucks which were being propelled down a line of rails at the tail of the bank in Greenbrae colliery, Dalkeith, and running down the bank, came into violent collision with other three waggons standing at the bottom of it. Two of the latter were smashed to pieces, and the coals with which they were loaded scattered in every direction. Robert Smith, a labourer employed in the colliery, and residing at Arniston, Gorebridge, was struck by a large fragment of coal behind the left ear , and instantaneously killed. He was seventeen years of age, and unmarried. [Scotsman 13 January 1871]

16 January 1871

West Calder – Two Persons Killed - On Monday morning, while John Shaw, miner, Gavieside, West Calder , aged thirty-four years of age, and his son, John Shaw, jun., aged eleven, stepped upon the cage of No. 2 Shale Pit, Gavieside , to descend to their work, the pit-rope gave way, and they were both precipitated to the bottom of the shaft and killed instantaneously. The former leaves a widow and three children. [Scotsman 19 January 1871]

31 August 1871

Bonnyrigg – Terrible Fall of Two Men Down A Pit – One of The Drowned At Holten new pit , No. 3, Polton colliery, yesterday , a little after ten o clock , while Mr Riggs , manager to Mr Eaglesham colliery proprietor, and John Duncan, blacksmith, were descending the pit in a kettle, for the purpose of repairing the pump, by some mishap the engine got out of gear shortly after they had left the top, causing the kettle to descend with such rapidity that the rope gave way, plunging the two men into thirty fathoms of water. Mr Riggs , on coming to the surface of the water, caught hold of some wood, and called up the shaft for assistance, supporting himself till a rope was lowered. On being pulled up he was in an exhausted condition, but was attended to by Dr M Laren . He was afterwards able to walk home with the assistance of two men. Duncan's corpse was found by means of grappling irons, and brought to the bank about two hours after the occurrence. The deceased, who resided in Gorebridge, leaves a widow and six children. He had been only about five weeks in Mr Eaglesham's employment . Mr Riggs states that Duncan did not come to the surface, and the probability is that he had got entangled among the chains, having descended the pit sitting in the bottom of the kettle; whereas Mr Riggs stood with one foot on the edge of the kettle and the other hanging over. During the afternoon the body of Duncan was conveyed to Gorebridge. [Scotsman 1 September 1871]

The Pit Accident At Bonnyrigg – John Smith, engineman at Holten new pit, Polton Colliery, where the accident occurred on Thursday night which resulted in the death of John Duncan, blacksmith, was yesterday arrested on the charge, we understand, of causing the accident by culpable negligence. [Scotsman 2 September 1871]

7 September 1871

Newbattle – Fatal Colliery Accident - A miner, named Robert Davidson, about sixty years of age, met with an accident in the Newbattle Engine Pit, on Thursday morning, which resulted fatally in about three quarters of an hour. He had holed his coal on the previous evening, and finding if still standing on his resuming work, he tried to undermine it a little further. He had just commenced doing so when a mass of coal and stone, nearly two tons in weight, fell upon him, crushing him so that he died shortly after being taken home. [Scotsman 8 September 1871]

5 February 1872

Bo'ness – Fatal Pit Accident – On Tuesday morning, while a young man named George Grant, a miner in the employment of Mr Henry Cadell of Grange, was engaged working in No 3 pit, Grangepans near Bo'ness, a large stone fell from the roof upon him and caused instantaneous death. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 10 February 1872]

14 September 1872

Bathgate - Shocking Accident - A Man's Head and Arm Torn Off - About six o'clock on Saturday morning the dead body of an engine-keeper named James Wilson, belonging to Cappers near Bathgate, was found lying beside the engine he was in charge of at No 5 Cappers Coal and Ironstone Pit. It appears that the engine is place under ground in the pit, the steam being conveyed from boilers on the surface to the engine below, and the engine is used for both pumping and winding purposes. Deceased who was on the night shift, was last seen alive about one o'clock by some of his fellow workmen, and as the engine is only used during the night in pumping water, he was not seen again until the other engineman came at six o'clock in the morning to commence his work on the day shift. Deceased was then discovered lying near the engine, his head crushed and torn from the body, as also one of his arms. It is supposed, as oil pourey was found lying beside him, that deceased had been in the act of oiling the machinery while the engine was in motion, and had been caught by the pinion wheels and dragged in between them. His remains were conveyed to his own house. He leaves a wife and large family to lament his loss. [Hamilton Advertiser 21 September 1872]

9 September 1874

Whitburn – Fatal Accident – On Wednesday, a miner named John Johnstone, lost his life in Balbakie Pit, belonging to the Coltness Company. He was preparing to fire a charge of gunpowder, and while his neighbour was removing the flasks & c out of reach, the shot went off. His neighbour hastened back and found poor Johnstone in a terrible state. He was taken up and promptly attended to by Dr Clark who found both jaws broken, and his eyes and a part of his face all but separated from his had. He lingered a few hours and died. Johnstone, who resided at Gateside, Whitburn, was much respected and was leader of the Whitburn brass band. He leaves a wife and five children. [Hamilton Advertiser 12 September 1874]

19 October 1875

Bo'ness – Fatal Pit Accident - Yesterday, at noon, a young man named Thomas Rae, a miner, met with his death in Schoolyard Pit, Bo'ness, belonging to the Kinneil Iron Company. While engaged at his ordinary occupation, a heavy mass of mineral came away from, the roof of the working, and crushed him so severely that death resulted almost instantaneously. The deceased was 22 years of age, unmarried, and resided with his widowed mother. [Scotsman 20 October 1875]

7 April 1876

Whitburn – Fatal Accident - Yesterday forenoon while a young lad named Peter Fordyce, son of James Fordyce residing here, was attending to his duties as assistant bottomer in Balbaickie Pit, belonging to Coltness Iron Company, he was struck by a stone from the roof or shank and instantly deprived of life. [Herald April 8 1876]

4 March 1879

Loanhead – Miner Killed – Yesterday morning a miner named Halliday, while engaged in excavation underground, lost his life by a large stone from the roof falling on him and crushing him to death. [Scotsman 5 March 1879]

24 July 1879

West Calder Fatal Accident – Between 8 and 9 o'clock on Thursday morning, Alex. Crookston, aged 16 years, residing at Woodmuir West Calder, was accidentally killed while at work in No 2 pit there, by being run over by a hutch as it was descending an incline. The waggon was despatched by a brother of the deceased, but no blame is attached to him. [Scotsman 26 July 1879]

13 November 1879

Fatal Pit Accident – About midday of Wednesday, while George Buchanan, 16 years of age, residing with his father at Old Pencaitland, parish of Lasswade, was at work as a “drawer” at No 1 level, Roslin Colliery, he accidentally fell a distance of 60 fathoms, and was instantaneously killed. It appears that after drawing an empty hutch from the lift, he, by mistake, signalled for its removal. The signal having been attended to, he then proceeded to draw a loaded hutch on to the hoist, which by that time had been removed. No blame is attached to any one. [Scotsman 14 November 1879]

21 November 1879

Fatal Pit Accident – On Thursday, David Graham, miner, residing at Backburn, accidentally fell down the shaft of No 1 Woodmuir pit, Blinkbonny, near West Calder, while working at the pit mouth, and was instantaneously killed. [Scotsman 24 November 1879]

23 May 1881

Fatal Colliery Accident at Newbattle - On Monday night, while a shaftsman named Alex Lawson was descending to a pit in Newbattle Colliery, in a cage, along with some fellow workmen, he signalled for the cage to be stopped at one of the "levels,"in order that some of the company might alight. After this operation had been performed, Lawson reached over the cage and signalled for it to be again set to motion. The signal was attended to, and before Lawson withdrew, his head was caught between the cage and the woodwork of the shaft, and he was instantaneously killed. He was about 32 years of age, unmarried, and resided with his mother at Lingerwood Cottage, parish of Cockpen [Scotsman 25 May 1881]

28 March 1882

Pit accident - A miner named John Hutchison, was killed in No 24 pit of Gilmerton Colliery, on Tuesday morning. It appears that he had entered a hutch for the purpose of being taken down an incline to the “dook” and it is supposed that while standing in the hutch he had fallen backwards upon the rails. His head was severely cut, and several of his ribs fractured. He was picked up in a state of unconsciousness and died soon afterwards. Deceased was forty-eight years of age and resided at Gilmerton [Scotsman 1st April 1882]

6 June 1882

Fatal Accident to a Miner - A miner named Alexander Allan, aged 57, residing at Cowdenfoot, died on Tuesday morning from injuries received by a stone falling on him while at work at Newbattle Colliery on the previous day. [Scotsman 8th June 1882]

6 August 1882

Dalkeith - Fatal Coal Pit Accident - Wm. Baxter, a miner, residing at East Houses, was killed at the engine pit, Newbattle Colliery, between eight and nine o'clock on Sunday night. Deceased was engaged along with four others repairing the roof of the main road at the dookhead, when the roof gave way and about fifty tons of stones and earth fell upon him. When extricated it was thought that death had resulted from suffocation, as the body was very little bruised. Baxter was 41 years of age, and leaves a widow and four children. A brother of the deceased made a very narrow escape. [Glasgow Herald 8 August 1882]

23 August 1882

Broxburn - Mine Explosion Near Broxburn - Five Men Badly Injured - About 2 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon a terrific gas explosion took place in Hey's Craig shale pit, occupied by the Broxburn Oil Company, Limited. Francis Danks, the oversman, John Neill fireman, and three miners were dangerously burned and are not expected to recover. One of the injured men named John Imrie died on Thursday in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, whence he had been removed. [West Lothian Courier September 1882]

Motherwell – Explosion In A Shale Pit – Yesterday afternoon a gas explosion occurred at Hey Craig shale pit, Motherwell. The mine was full of men at the time, but fortunately, the explosion was confined to one portion. Francis Danks, overman, John Neil, fireman, and three miners were severely burned. They were removed to their homes, but fears are entertained that some may not recover. [Scotsman 31 August 1882]

John Stein died 5th September 1882, Francis Danks & James Neil died 8th September

13 October 1882

Dalkeith Fatal Colliery Accident - Yesterday morning- a man named James Reid, about 60 years of age, was accidentally killed at West Bryans pit, Newbattle Colliery. The unfortunate man was employed at the hoist where the coal is screened, when a hutch weighing about 12 or 14 cwts. was lowered suddenly, and, falling upon him, crushed him so terribly that death must have been almost instantaneous. The mangled remains of the unfortunate man were removed to his residence in Dalkeith. Deceased leaves a widow and grown up family. In connection with this accident we are informed that it was no part of the deceased's duty, nor was there any necessity for him to go under the cage, as there in a safe road provided for the workmen round the landing-place of the cage. The men at the top, before sending away the cage, cautioned him that it was about to descend, and as the total height of the hoist is only about 18 feet, speaking is the most efficient signal which could be employed. [Scotsman 14 October 1882]

14 October 1882

Fatal Accident in a Pit - A miner named John Cole, 38 years of age, was killed on Friday in Whitehill pit, Rosewell, by a quantity of clay, weighing about 10 cwt., becoming detached from the roof of the pit and falling upon him while he was engaged filling a hutch [Scotsman 16th October 1882]

3 September 1883

A young man named David Thomson, a miner, residing at Loanhead, met with a serious accident late on Monday evening while blasting some shale in the Pentland pit at Lasswade, which is occupied by the Clippens Oil Company. It seams that he and another man had filled a hole with powder for blasting purposes, and after putting in a lighted straw instead of a fuse, they retired about forty yards from the shot. Eight minutes having elapsed without the shot exploding, Thomson approached the hole to ascertain what was wrong, when the charge exploded full in his face, depriving him of his eyesight. The unfortunate man was subsequently brought to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 5 September 1883]

12 March 1884

Accident in a Coal Pit – John Wilson, a boy of 12 years, residing at Gavieside, West Calder, was on Wednesday attempting to stop some waggons on an incline in a pit by throwing a piece of wood before the wheels, when the wood sprung out and knocked him down in front of the waggons, the wheels of which passed over his legs. He was removed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and early yesterday morning his right leg was amputated above the knee. His left leg was also severely crushed and he sustained some internal injuries. [Scotsman 14 March 1884]

11 December 1884

By an accident which took place about three o'clock yesterday morning at the Benhar Coal Company's Deer Park pit, in the parish of Liberton, two men named respectively James M'Court, aged 28 and Thomas Ross, aged 33, both residing at Gilmerton, lost their lives. They had, it would seem, been employed in sinking a new shaft, and about two in the morning had returned to the surface for refreshment. While they were being lowered again, an hour afterwards, the engineman at the pithead received the signal to stop the cage. On its being at once drawn up, it was seen that the man were not inside, though it had not in the interval reached the bottom. On subsequent examination, both men were found lying dead at the bottom of the shaft. They had fallen out of the cage, a distance of about thirty feet. It is suggested that the cage or open "kettle" in which they were working may have been accidentally tilted up by striking against a stone on the side of the shaft. [Scotsman 12 December 1884]

13 January 1885

Serious Accident At Newbattle Colliery - Yesterday afternoon a lad of 15 years of age, named George Trail residing at Lingerwood Old Smithy, Newbattle, sustained a compound fracture of his leg, and had his knee-joint severely crushed by a loaded hutch, which was sent along an inclined plane at a place known as the "West Connection." Trail, who was at the time at work at the bottom of the incline, did not notice the approach of the hutch, and apparently got no signal of its approach. [Scotsman 14 January 1885]

30 December 1885

Margaret Hogg or Porteous vs J Waldie & Sons - The trial of this action, which commenced., yesterday, was concluded today. Margaret Porteous or Hogg, Church Street, Tranent, sued J. Waldie & Son, coalmasters, Tranent, for £500 for herself, and £250 for each of her children, Margaret and William John. The claim was made in respect of the loss of pursuer's husband, William Hogg, miner, who was killed in the Wynd Pit on the 30th December last by the falling of a quantity of coal, which crushed him to death. The pursuer stated that the portion of the mine in question had not been worked for several years, and that there should have been a fence erected to bar the passage between the working part and the disused workings. The defence was that the whole of the mine was properly protected and duly examined, and that the accident could only have occurred through the negligence of the deceased or some of those working with him in unwarrantably interfering or tampering with the condition of the mine, or removing some of the coal which supported the roof. The jury, after an absence of twenty minutes, returned a unanimous verdict for the pursuer, assessing the damages at £100 for the widow and £50 for each of her two children. [Scotsman 26 November 1886]

24 November 1886

Serious Accident At Loanhead - A serious accident took place yesterday at the Dryden Pit of the Shotts Iron Company, through overwinding, whereby one man was killed. The men who stop work at two o'clock were being brought to the surface when the cage containing ten men was drawn up too far and one man, named Henry Paul, fell off the cage down the incline and was killed. [Scotsman 25 November 1886]

20 January 1887

Mrs Elizabeth Chellew and Another v The Shotts Iron Company - In this action Mrs Elizabeth Thomas or Chellew, Loanhead, and her son, Frederick James Chellew, sued the Shotts Iron Company for £1000 for the loss of William Henry Chellew who, while in the employment of the defenders as underground engineman at the Burghlee Pit, Loanhead was on 20th January last killed by being precipitated to the bottom of the pit owing to the breaking of the cage rope. The case was on the roll to-day for leave to the pursuers to abandon the action. Counsel for the Pursuers - Mr Scott and Mr Baxter. Agent - Thomas Clapperton, W.S. Counsel for the Defenders - Mr Dickson. Agent—T . F. Weir [Scotsman 26 May 1887]

26 February 1887

Niddrie - Man Drowned at No. 10 Pit – On Saturday, John Coulter, an engine-keeper, along with Thos. Morrison, residing at Newcraighall, was engaged working at No. 12 pit, and the carriage there having gone off the rails, they travelled underground a distance of about 250 yards to No. 10 pit, where they signalled to the engineman to be taken up. Somehow or other the signalman misunderstood the signalling, and instead of taking them up, lowered them into the “sump.” Morrison managed to escape, even although he was over the neck in water, but Coulter was drowned. He leaves a wife and large family [From the Dalkeith Advertiser – with thanks to Les Harris for providing this article]

7 July 1887

Serious Fire Damp Explosion At Broxburn – Two Men Killed - On Thursday a severe explosion of fire damp took place in the Sand Hole Pit, belonging to the Broxburn Oil Company, whereby two men, named William Wilson, the oversman, and Andrew Beith, contractor, Portobello (lately of Bathgate), lost their lives. Thursday being a holiday among the shale miners, the pit was not working; but a party of seven men went down the pit in the forenoon. The oversman had left some miners to procure some shale samples at the bottom seam, while he and Mr Beith ascended to the upper seam to mark off a new mine which was to be driven to Hayscraigs. They had only proceeded some six yards from the shaft when an explosion of fire damp took place. Mr Kennedy, underground manager, and Mr N M Henderson, works manager were speedily on the spot, and had a rescue party organised. This was about twelve o'clock. Those in the bottom seam were speedily rescued, being uninjured; but three hours elapsed before Wilson and Beith were brought to the pithead, the force of the explosion having brought down a large portion of the roof above them. Both the bodies were badly mutilated. Wilson, who was much respected in Broxburn, leaves a widow and a young family. Mr Beith was a brother of Mr Robert Beith, manager, Clyde Coal Co.'s Collieries. He was one of the most skilled and successful pit sinking contractors of the day, having, in company with his brothers, carried out some of the largest undertakings of the kind in this country or in Wales. [Hamilton Advertiser 9 July 1887]

1 March 1888

Before Lord Wellwood and a Jury- Mrs Fullerton v Deans & Moore- This action, the trial of which began on Friday and terminated on Saturday, was brought by Mrs Fullerton , 8 St Anthony Court, Leith, widow of John Fullerton, miner, Cowpits, Inveresk, against Deans & Moore, coalmasters, Smeaton Park, Inveresk, for £500 at common law, or £150 under the Employers' Liability Act, for the loss of her husband, who was killed in March last by a fall of coal and stones in one of the defenders' pits at Carberry colliery. The defence was that the man was not struck by the fall, but that his death was caused by heart disease. The jury, after an absence of fully an hour and a half, returned a unanimous verdict for the pursuer, assessing the damages at £100. [Scotsman 3 December 1888]

17 April 1888

Mining Accident At Newbigging – Peter Henderson,a miner, yesterday sustained a fracture of the spine by a quantity of coal falling on him while he was at work in Newbigging Colliery. He was removed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 18 April 1888]

19 June 1888

Yesterday, a miner named John Hamilton, residing at Holmes, was very severely crushed between a hutch and the wall of the mine at Holmes Oil Works. He was severely injured internally. [Scotsman 20 June 1888]

18 October 1888

Fatal Accident in a Pit at Straiton - On Thursday a miner named William Campbell, 31 years of age, residing at Gilmerton, met his death while working in one of the Clippens Oil Company shale pits at Straiton. He had been undermining at the time at one of the facings, and a quantity of shale, weighing about a ton, fell on him, crushing him to the ground and completely burying him. It was some time before he was extricated by the other workers, and life was then found to be extinct. His injuries are said to have been chiefly about the head and a broken neck.. [Scotsman 20 October 1888]

12 December 1888

A miner named John Ross received serious injury in Elphinstone Colliery yesterday by a fall of stone from the roof. [Scotsman 13 December 1888]

15 December 1888

Explosion At Broxburn - On Saturday, at half-past one o'clock, an explosion of fire-damp took place at No. 1 Stewartfield mine, and Robert Anderson, aged 16, was killed, and another man named Thomas Joyce badly injured. Anderson, who had heard the report, went to explore the scene of the explosion, and was killed by afterdamp. [Scotsman 17 December 1888]

26 December 1888

Accident At Armadale - Yesterday, while a man, James Laird, aged 31, residing in West Main Street, Armadale was employed at the face in No. 5 Pit, Woodend, belonging to the Coltness Iron Company (Limited), a quantity of coal and dirt weighing about two tons fell from the roof and completely buried him. Some time elapsed before he was extricated. His internal injuries are of such a serious nature that little hope is entertained of his recovery. [Scotsman 27 December 1888]

14 January 1890

At Newcraighall yesterday afternoon, a lad named James Newlands, 16 years of age, was thrown down by the fall of a gate which leads from the colliery. He was run over by a passing engine, and killed. [Scotsman 15 January 1890]

5 January 1891

West Calder - Fatal Burning Accident - Whilst a young man named John M'Knight, aged about 20, was engaged on Monday morning at one of the Hermand Company's shale mines at West Calder in filling a naptha lamp, the oil ran over and the can exploded, setting fire to his clothes. The young man was severely burned, and after suffering great agony, he died the same night. [Glasgow Herald 7 January 1891]

10 January 1891

Fatal Accident At Mauricewood - On Saturday a miner while lowering a hutch of coal from the “wheel brae” to the bottom level of Mauricewood found it obstructed by what proved to be another hutch with it drawer, James Tolmie, 15, underneath. Tolmie was extricated, but he died shortly after reaching the pit bank. [Evening Times 12 January 1891]

20 January 1892

Addiewell – Painful Accident – Early on Wednesday morning George Black, 16, son of Mr John Drummond Black, residing at No 66 Livingston Street, Addiewell, met with a rather serious accident while going to his work in Loganlea Pit. It is stated that he had to pass close to an unfenced windlas that was in motion at the time when the accident occurred, the handle of which struck Black between the eyes, with the result that it fractured his nose and endangered the sight of his right eye. Dr Thomson rendered immediate service and had the injured lads wounds dressed. [Hamilton Advertiser 23 January 1892]

22 March 1892

Miner Killed – Yesterday an accident happened in Seafield Mine, Blackburn, near Bathgate, by which a miner named Thomas Young lost his life. A shot had been fired, but failed to have the effect of bringing away the material, and Young was punching at it with the object of loosening it, when the whole mass gave way, crushing him beneath it. [Scotsman 23 March 1892]

24 May 1892

Accident to a Niddrie Miner - Yesterday forenoon John Ronald, 18 years of age, a coal drawer, while working in the Niddrie coal pit, fell a distance of nearly 130 feet down an incline, sustaining severe injuries to his head and one of his shoulders. He was removed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 25 May 1892]

7 April 1893

Fatal Accident At Newbattle - A middle-aged man, named John Lynch, met his death by suffocation while working inside a boiler at the new pits of the Lothians Colliery Company (Limited), Newbattle, yesterday. The deceased resided at Whitehill, and has left several children. [Scotsman 8 April 1893]

14 June 1894

Accident To A Miner - James Howden, a miner, was yesterday admitted to Edinburgh Infirmary suffering from injuries which he received at Pentland Oil Works by being accidentally run over. [Scotsman 15 June 1894]

30 July 1895

Miner Killed at Clippens - On Tuesday night James Pennycook, miner, was killed at No. 8 incline, Clippens Oil Company. Being done with his work he came to the pit bottom, and jumped into a half full hutch which was about to be drawn to the surface. While on the way up the incline his shoulder caught one of the beams, and he was crushed between the hutch and the beam. He only lived ten minutes afterwards. [Scotsman 1 August 1895]

9 October 1895

Fatal Accident at Prestongrange – A young man named Richard Mackie, belonging to Tranent, while engaged yesterday shunting trucks at Prestongrange Colliery, got overpowered, and was jammed by one of them. He was seriously cut and crushed about the lower part of the body, and he died on being taken home. [Scotsman 10 October 1895]

11 October 1895

Two Miners Killed at Loanhead - A serious accident happened at Burghlee pit, Loanhead, yesterday, by which two men lost their lives. About two o'clock the men leaving their work heard a fall in the level above them, but took no notice of it till it was found that two men were missing. Search resulted in finding that the place in which these men had been working had collapsed. Men at once started to clear the place, when the body of Peter Frame was found. Frame was a middle-aged man with a family. The other body, that of Abraham Pryde, a young man who resided with his father, was subsequently found. Both men lived at Roslin. [Scotsman 12 October 1895]

17 January 1896

Fatal Pit Accident - AdamM'Neill, a miner, living at Archibald Place, Musselburgh, met with an accident in Wallyford Pit yesterday, and died from his injuries half an hour after having been removed home. He leaves a widow and five children. He was between thirty and forty years of age. [Scotsman 18 January 1896]

25 January 1896

Fatal Accident At Elphingstone Colliery. -On Saturday afternoon, a boy named M'Millan, about fourteen years of age, son of Mr John M'Millan, colliery manager at Elphingstone, fell from the scaffolding on the Fleets pithead where he was working, a depth of between twenty to thirty feet. He fell through the engine house window in his descent, and landing on the engine house floor, was much cut about the head. He survived the shock only a few minutes. The boy commenced work only a few weeks ago. [Scotsman 27 January 1896]

19 February 1896

Fatal Accident Inquiries In Edinburgh - Another inquiry was conducted into the circumstances of the death of Joseph M'Queen, a lad sometime in the employment of Deans & Moore, coalmasters, Wallyford Colliery, as a stone-picker. From the evidence it appeared that M'Queen's duty was to stand by a "conveyer" and from it pick stones out of the coals as they were passed along to a steam riddle. On the morning of the 19th inst., although it was no part of his duty, he apparently intended to rectify a "spout" at the colliery, and while getting through a fence with this object, he was caught by some machinery which carried him a few inches, and jammed him against an overhead shaft. He was instantly killed. A verdict in accordance with the evidence was returned. [Scotsman 28 February 1896]

18 May 1896

Miner Killed At Bo'ness - A miner named Peter Connal, residing in Grangepans, Bo'ness, while employed in the shaft of the Miller Pit, belonging to Bridgeness Coal Company, was killed on Monday evening by a large stone falling upon him from the side of the shaft. Another miner named Joseph Hamilton, who was working along with him, was severely injured. [Scotsman 20 May 1896]

8 July 1896

Fatal Accident At Bathgate - Yesterday forenoon an accident resulting in the death of one man and serious injury of another took place at a pit at present in course of being opened by the Balbardie colliery Company. Two joiners, John M'Intyre, 21 years of age, and Thomas Broadfoot, about 35, were fixing up the pithead frame, when the guy ropes gave way and the beams on which the men were sitting came down, carrying the men with them. M'Intyre had his right arm broken and was otherwise injured, while Broadfoot had his left arm broken and one of his legs severely crushed. The doctor ordered their removal to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and the men were conveyed to Bathgate railway station, but on the way M'Intyre succumbed to his injuries. Both men were in the employment of Messrs Wm. Shanks & Sons, Airdrie Sawmills, who had the contract for the work. M'Intyre belonged to Wishaw. [Scotsman 9 July 1896]

The Accident At Bathgate – Thomas Broadfoot, a joiner, who was admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Wednesday, suffering from injuries to his left arm and one of his legs, sustained while working at one of the Balbardie Colliery Company's pit, Bathgate, died early yesterday morning from the effects of his injuries. [Scotsman 10 July 1896]

13 November 1896

Fatal Accident At Arniston Collieries - A miner named Adam Ramage, residing at Stobhill, Gorebridge, met his death in the Emily pit,Arniston, yesterday forenoon by a quantity of stones falling upon him from the pit roof. He was a widower, and was without any family.[Scotsman 14 November 1896]

30 November 1896

Fatal Accident Inquiries In Edinburgh - In the Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Rutherford and a jury conducted a public inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Joseph Brown Middleton, residing at East Houses, a miner in the employment of the Lothian Coal Company (Limited.) From the evidence it appeared that Brown was engaged in attending to hutches in a "dook" or incline in Lady Victoria pit at-Newbattle colliery on the 30th of last month, when he was knocked down in the "dook" and severely injured. He died the same day in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. [Scotsman 11 December 1896]

16 June 1897

Terrible Death In A Pit Shaft - A fatality has occurred in the shaft of No.2 Pit Westrigg colliery. A labourer named Matthew Sommerville (25), residing at Woodend Rows , Armadale, was employed running hutches of engine ashes from the engine on to the cage, and by some unexplained cause he accidentally ran one of the hutches over into the shaft, falling along with it to the bottom, some sixty-two fathoms. His body was afterwards recovered in a terribly mangled condition. [Scotsman 18 June 1897]

22nd & 30th November, 9th December 1899

Fatal Accident Inquiry - In Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday Sheriff Rutherford and a jury held inquiries into the circumstances attending three fatal accidents. The first was that which involved the death of David Bain (18), 31 Duke Street, Rosewell. Deceased was a miner in the employment of the Lothian Coal Company (Limited), and upon the 22d ult. was working in one of the Company's pits at Whitehill when a quantity of coal fell upon him. He was dead when extricated, having apparently been instantaneously killed. The second inquiry had reference to the death of James Lang (15), Hawthornden Cottages, Rosewell, a chain runner, also in the employment of the Lothian Coa1 Company at Whitehill Colliery. Lang had charge of a brake at the foot of a "wheel" brae. On the 30th ult. the chain connecting the two ends of the wire rope used in conveyance of the hutches up and down the incline broke, and the hutches rushed down the incline and struck deceased. A witness stated that there had. been a similar fracture of the chain the same morning and something of the same kind six months previously. Lang had been only a short time employed in the pit, and had had charge of the brake two days. In the opinion of another witness he should have heard the hutches coming, and, as there was room to the side, should have been able to avoid them. Lang only survived the accident a few seconds. The third inquiry was with regard to the death of Thomas Frame, Loan Street, Loanhead , a miner in the employment of the Shotts Iron Company. Deceased was working in the Burghlee pit of the Company upon the 9th inst., when a piece of rock fell from the roof, striking him on the left side. He complained of pain and had difficulty in breathing, but remained at work for some hours after the accident. He walked home without assistance, but on the 12th December succumbed to the injury, death being due to a fractured rib penetrating the lung. The jury returned forma1 verdicts in the case of Bain and Frame. They added a rider, however, to their verdict regarding Lang, that in their opinion it was improper to employ so young and so unexperienced a lad as deceased as a chain runner; and that they also thought that sufficient provision was not made for his safety. [Scotsman 22 December 1899]

18 August 1900

Fatal Accident At East Calder - A miner named John Binnie, employed by the Summerlee Iron. Company in their pit at East Calder, died yesterday morning from the injuries he received last Saturday morning in the pit. [Scotsman 23 August 1900]

NB Correct name was John Binnie Hempseed

3 October 1900

Fatal Accident – A sad accident attended with fatal results occurred early this morning in the South Mine, belonging to the Broxburn Oil Company. A young man named William McLachlan, 30 years of age, residing with his parents at Port Buchan, was engaged holing at the face when a large piece of shale fell away from above, inflicting such dreadful injuries on the head and back of the unfortunate lad that he only survived a few minutes. Dr Scott had been summoned, but death occurred before his arrival. The body was conveyed home about 9 o'clock. Deceased's fellow workmen in the mine, on being apprised of this occurrence immediately ceased working. [Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser October 6 1900]

28 November 1900

Fatal Pit Accident At Tranent - Yesterday afternoon Thomas Porteous, a miner, working in Smiddy Pit; Tranent colliery, on ceasing work at the wall face proceeded through an old working in order to learn if his own working place was nearly through upon the waste before going home. Whether he had accidentally touched one of the old supports of the roof is unknown, but a very large stone came down and killed him on the spot. He leaves a widow and three sons. [Scotsman 29 November 1900]