Inquest of Joseph Glover

Report in Staffordshire Evening Sentinel dated xxth Sept 1951

RESCUERS FREED FROM TRAP

Hanley Inquest Tributes to Men's Gallantry

Attempts to rescue a miner trapped by three successive roof falls, which partially buried some of the would-be rescuers , were described by witnesses at the Hanley inquest yesterday on Mr. Joseph Glover, aged 31, of 17, Fieldway, Fenton, a pit deputy at Hem Heath Colliery.
A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned by the jury and tributes were paid to the gallant rescue efforts,
A brother of the dead man, Mr. Herbert Glover, of Morwoode, Longton Hall Lane, Longton, said his brother returned to the mines after war service at the end of 1946 and started at Hem Heath Colliery earlier this year.

Two Others Caught

Mr. Thomas Huxley of 20, Boughey Street, Stoke, coalcutter chargehand,described how he went to the coal face on the morning shift last Friday, cleared some dirt which had fallen from the front end of the machine, took out the anchor prop and put on the cutter rope
He brought the cutter clear of the face and, as soon as the jib had moved about one foot, the timbering collapsed without warning burying Mr. Glover, who was just under the roof. There was nothing to show there was any strain on the timbering until it collapsed.
While witness, his mate, Mr. Sam Baker, and others were working to free Mr. Glover, whom they managed to get into a sitting position, a second fall occurred and witness was caught but later succeded in freeing himself. Afterwards he heard that his mate was also caught by the fall but was released.
Questioned by Mr. B Spencer (H.M. District Inspector of Mines) witness said he was quite certain that, when, he moved the coalcutter no part of it disturbed any of the supports. He could suggest no reason for the fall.

Shout for Help

Mr. Thomas Degg, of, 107, Meaford Drive, Blurton a colliery ripper said he was working with his mate near the scene of the accident. The timbering seemed to him to be secure and adequate.
Shortly after Mr. Glover had passed witness and his mate on his way to the face, they heard the sound of a big fall . They looked round and saw the roof close to the face had collapsed.
Mr. Jack Ledgar, of, 6, Hadley road, Abbey Hulton, a colliery ripper, said that after hearing a rumble and a shout for help at the top of the face he found Mr. Baker had been caught by the fall and his foot was fast.
After releasing Mr Baker, witness saw a hand sticking out of the dirt. He assisted in efforts to release Mr.Glover.

Two More Falls

They succeeded in clearing away the dirt as far as his waist. and managed to cut off his belt so that he could breathe more easily. witness continued. At that time, Mr. Glover did not appear to be in pain and was able to talk to the rescuers. A second fall, however, buried him completely.
When they had succeeded in freeing his head for the second time, a third fall occurred and buried him again. Rescue operations continued and eventually the body was recovered.
Mr. Reginald Haywood of 22, Ash Grove, Fenton, said he was deputy on the night shift previous to the accident. He was satisfied the timbering was in order when he left the face. He had taken the additional precaution of inserting an extra chock at the near end of the cutter.
Dr. J. G. Mott (Area Medical Officer N.C.B.) said Mr Glover was dead when extricated --about half an hour after witness had arrived at the face. he had suffered multiple bruises but death was caused by shock and asphyxia.

"Pride and Gratitude"

The City Coroner (Mr. G. W. Huntbach) said that everyone would wish to express pride and gratitude to the men who had tried to liberate Mr. Glover, and to Dr. Mott who had worked underground with them, ministering to Mr. Glover and giving him injections to ease the pain.
Everyone, he said, would share a feeling of relief that the men who had been buried or partially buried had not suffered the unfortunate fate of Mr. Glover
Miners and the various officers concerned in mining took such duties as part of their job. Their work required a terrific amount of courage and devotion, which was always displayed in similar cases, particularly in one of such persistent severity

Difficult Task

When a man embarked on a career of mining, the Coroner added, he became courageous, if he was not so to begin with, and in times of emergency he was responsive and did everything possible.
The Coroner emphasised the difficulties under which the rescuers were working, due to the gradient at the face being one in three.
The jury, as stated returned a verdict of "Accidental death"
Sympathy was expressed by the Coroner and by N.C.B. officials present, Who associated themselves with Mr. Spencer's tribute to the "very gallant efforts made by all, at no little risk to themselves"