FATAL ACCIDENT TO MINER AT DALTON

Yesterday morning a sad accident happened at the Crossgates Mines, situate near Dalton, with fatal consequences. A miner named Thomas Penny, 66 years of age, and residing at Broughton road, Dalton, was killed instantaneously. It appears that the deceased was employed at the No. 11 pit, Crossgates Mines, belonging to the Askam Iron Company, and was at the time of the accident inspecting the loading of metal into the wagons, and when attempting to ‘scotch’ one of the wheels of a wagon, containing ten tons of metal, he accidentally slipped and fell under the wagon. The wheels passed over the middle part of his back, crushing his ribs in, and killing him on the spot.

Barrow News, 8 August 1885

The Late Mr. Thomas Penny: The sudden and unexpected death of Mr. Thomas Penny has cast a gloom over Dalton. Mr. Penny was well-known by most of the townspeople, and much respected. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved widow and family. Mr. Penny was one of the oldest members of the Dalton Wesleyan body, and Mr. Thomas Wilson, who occupied the pulpit in that place of worship on Sunday morning, spoke in high terms of his Christian character. He was a Sunday school teacher for a number of years, and a consistent member of the Wesleyan body. Mr. Penny was a member of Mr. Wilson’s class for over 30 years. He was also a prominent member of the Rose of Furness Lodge of Oddfellows, to which he attended regularly. The funeral took place on Monday, and was followed by a large number of people.

Barrow News, 11 August 1885

FATAL ACCIDENT AT DALTON THE INQUEST

On Saturday an inquest was held at the Wellington Hotel, Dalton, before Mr. Poole, coroner, on the body of Thomas Penny, who was killed at the Crossgates Mines on the previous day. The following were the jury:- Messrs James Robinson (foreman), Wilson, Foster, Leece, Preston, Armstead, Rigg, Fargher, Fisher, Johnson, Clarke, and Thwaites.

George Capel, Thornton Place, Dalton, said he was a labourer. He knew the deceased, Thomas Penny, who resided at 83, Broughton-road, and was employed as a labourer at Crossgates. He was 66 years of age. For some time he had been employed filling metal or iron ore into the wagons at Crossgates. On Friday he was employed in this work about 11.15. Witness was standing about 40 yards from where the accident happened. The wagons were crossing from under the “hurry”. They had just filled one, and was crossing down the line when deceased attempted to “sprag” the wheel with a piece of railway metal when he slipped and fell under the wagon, one of the wheels of which went over his body, killing him instantaneously. The wagon had about 10 tons of ore in it. He was an active man for his age, and not infirm in any way. Witness could scarcely say what had caused him to fall, or whether his foot caught anything. He was standing close to the wagon and had simply to put the “sprag” in it. He was walking along with the wagon at the time he attempted to sprag it. The wagon was going slowly. It was the usual way to stop the waggons (sic). The sprag is put to stop the wagons from going away, because other wagons were sent up as they were filled. The sprag was to keep the wagon from being moved from its place. Deceased fell with his breast across the rail, and the wheel passed over his back. This was all the evidence, and a verdict of ‘Accidental death’ was returned.

Barrow News, 11 August 1885