MineArchiveBettisfield Colliery roof fall, 1895
Two repairers were killed at Bettisfield Colliery, Bagillt, on 1 July 1895 when loose top roof they had not drawn down fell on them as they set timbers in the main road.
| Date | 1 July 1895 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Bettisfield Colliery |
| Region | Flintshire |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: the repairers James Furival and John Griffiths.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Loose top roof, not drawn down beforehand, fell while timbers were being set.
Contributing factors
The repairers had not brought down the loose top roof before setting the timbers beneath it.
What happened
On 1 July 1895 two repairers, James Furival, 35, and John Griffiths, 47, were ripping and repairing the main road at Bettisfield Colliery, Bagillt. As they set a pair of timbers, a part of the top roof that they had earlier failed to draw down fell on them suddenly and killed them.
Investigation & inquiry
The Inspector of Mines made an inspection and attended the inquest.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 1 July 1895 two repairers, James Furival, 35, and John Griffiths, 47, were killed by a fall of roof at Bettisfield Colliery, Bagillt. 1,2,3
- They were ripping and repairing the main road, and while setting a pair of timbers a part of the top roof that they had not drawn down earlier fell on them. 1,2,3
- The colliery belonged to the Bettisfield Colliery Company Ltd. 2,3
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two repairers were killed at Bettisfield Colliery, Bagillt, on 1 July 1895 when loose top roof they had not drawn down…” - HM Chief Inspector of Mines (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s investigation: “The Inspector of Mines made an inspection and attended the inquest.” - Ripping (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “…1895 two repairers, James Furival, 35, and John Griffiths, 47, were ripping and repairing the main road at Bettisfield Colliery, Bagillt. As…”
Sources
- (primary) Durham Mining Museum: Bettisfield Colliery — Durham Mining Museum, from the Lists of Mines
- (secondary) Mining victims, 1890s, F (Fulthorpe) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's list of mining victims)
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1890-1899, surnames G part 4 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026