Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer – Saturday 07 January 1928

Houghton Pit Deaths.

Second Fatality Announced at Inquest on Miner.

While inquest was in progress yesterday at Darfield on James Gawthrop (40), a Wombwell miner, who was killed by fall of roof at Houghton Main Colliery Tuesday, report was received that another man, John Smith (50), of Darfield, had been killed at the same pit while working on the by-product plant. He was trapped by a conveyor.

At the inquest on Gawthrop it was stated that he was filling a tub in the ” gob ” when about three tons of ” softs ” fell from the roof and buried him completely except for his head.

A verdict of ” Accidental death ” was returned.

It was mentioned that Gawthrop leaves a widow and eight young children.