Preece Family Tree

Killed by a Stone
AT THE CWMAMAN COLLIERY.

An inquest was held at the Workmen's Hall, Cwmaman, on Monday morning, touching the death of Richard Steadman Griffiths, 22 Llanwonno Road, Cwmaman, who was killed by a fall of stone at the Cwmaman Colliery on Friday morning.

Stephen John Griffiths (son) said his father was 60 years of age last September, and had worked as a collier all his life.

William Haymar, haulier, spoke to finding the deceased under a stone between 10 and 11 o'clock. Deceased was in the face of his working side. Being unable to move the stone, witness called Charles Gough, who worked in the next place. The stone was six or seven feet long, and between six and seven inches thick. Deceased's mandril was resting against the face.

Charles Gough said he was working in the 7ft seam, but was not in his place when the accident happened. He helped to move the stone which fell crop to the coal. He had not been in the place before that morning. Deceased was well supplied with timber.

Evan Rees, fireman of the district, said he examined deceased's working place at 6.50 that morning, and marked it right for working. He had not had time to get round again before the stone fell. There was a slant in the roof. It was impossible to see the stone before it fell. He believed the deceased heard the sounds of the top giving and tried to escape, but was too late. He was the most careful workman in the district.

Mr. Wm. Jones, the manager, explained plan of the working place, and also said the deceased was an excellent workman.

The Coroner: He has timbered most systematically.

A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

Cwmaman Collier Crushed to Death.

At the Cwmaman Institute on Monday morning Mr. R. J. Rhys, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr. Gomer Vaughan was foreman, held an inquiry touching the death of Richard Stedman Griffiths, 22 Llanwonno Road, collier, who was killed on Friday morning last at the Cwmaman Colliery.

His son, Stephen John Griffiths, deposed that his father was 60 years of age, and had been an underground worker for 50 years.

William Hayman, haulier, said that he "drove" to Griffiths. On the morning in question he took an empty tram in to Griffiths' stall. On reaching the face he discovered Griffiths dead under a large stone close to the right hand side road post. With assistance he got the stone away. Deceased's mandril was standing against the coal, shaft downwards.

Charles Gough, collier, said he worked in the next stall to deceased in the 7ft. seam. He helped Hayman to get the stone away. It was about 7ft. long, 2 feet wide, and 6 inches thick. It had fallen from the top crop with the coal. There was a back slip. The stone fell crop with the road posts, which were close to the coal. There was plenty of timber.

Evan Rees, fireman, said he made his first examination of the stall at five minutes to seven that morning. He found all correct and had marked the place right for working. He hadn't had time to reach there on the second round before the accident happened. He hurried there on hearing the news. He found that a large stone and a few small pieces at each end fallen crop with the coal. The place was well timbered, and some posts had discharged. There was a slant in the roof, running along with the posts, which could not be seen prior to the fall. The ground was a clayey cliff with good many breaks in it. Deceased was hewing coal from under it at the time. There was no room for more posts. Griffiths had been in the district for last 18 months. He was a most careful workman.

William Jones, manager, explained a plan of the stall.

A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

Messrs. Illtyd Hopkins, secretary, and John Lewis, minimum wage agent, were present on behalf of the S.W.M.F.

Lladdwyd Richard Stedman Griffiths, glowr o Gwmaman, gan gwymp o'r to yn y lofa yno dydd Gwener.

Richard Stedman Griffiths, a miner from Cwmaman, was killed by a fall from the colliery roof on Friday.