Maltby Pit Disaster of 1923
The Rescue Begins
News of the accident brought rescue parties from througout the region complete with oxygen apparatus, vessels containing liquid air and other appliances from a number of collieries including Rotherham, Dinnington, Maltby, Doncaster, Bulcroft, Denaby, Cadeby, Thurcroft, Brodsworth, Yorkshire Main, Brierley and Hickleton Main.
At 9.45 pm on the night of the accident, the second rescue party returned to the surface and operations were discontinued for the day.
It was later announced that the rescue was abandoned after 12 hours when all hope of the possibility of any man still in the mine being alive was given up.
A statement was issued at 2 p.m. on 28th July, signed by Herbert Shaw and H. Ross, Miners' delegates; Herbert Smith, President of the Miners' Federation; Basil H. Pickering, Colliery Agent; and E. Dunn, Colliery Check Weighman.
As soon as possible after the accident occurred rescue parties were formed, and upon investigation made up two sets of parties.
We were fully satisfied that none of the men imprisoned in the mine could possibly be living.
Deliberations between representatives of the owners and management, H.M. Inspectors, and workmen are still being held, and a definite conclusion as to the policy to be adopted has not yet been arrived at.
It may be taken for certain, however, that there is no hope of recovering the bodies of the dead for the time being. continued »
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