Cadeby Pit Disaster of 1912
Another Casualty
Another accident involving the loss of life occurred at Cadeby on the 18th August, 1912.
A party of 10 had been engaged for some time restoring the ventilation of the sealed danger zone and locating entombed bodies. On the Sunday, five men from Manvers Main Colliery were about to attempt the removal of some of the bodies.
One of the men, Charles Burns, accidentally knocked his breathing apparatus against a stretcher and jerked the mouthpiece from off his mouth. Deprived of its protection, he breathed some of the inert gas which had been pumped into the mine to kill any fires. He collapsed and his comrades tried to readjust the mouthpiece, but failed. Their efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful and their own safety was at risk. One of the party sent a message for help to the Hickleton Rescue Team.
They rushed in from the stoppings and rescued the 4 men, but Burns was dead.
The death of Charles Burns brought the Cadeby death-roll to 88.
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