Cambrian Colliery roof fall, 1902

Two men riding out on a journey of coal at Cambrian Colliery, Clydach Vale, were buried in September 1902 when a tram knocked out a collar and the roof fell.

Cause

A tram in the journey the men were riding knocked out a low collar, releasing two more and the roof above them.

What happened

In September 1902 John Roberts, 28, and Ebenezer Evans, 19, were riding out on a journey of coal in the Red seam at the No. 2 pit of Cambrian Colliery, Clydach Vale. The height under the timber was only 4 feet 11 inches. The last tram but one struck and knocked out a collar, two more collars came out with it, and the roof they had held up fell and buried both men. A badly decayed arm was thought to have broken and let the collar drop. The day is given as the 3rd in one account and the 5th in another.

What's uncertain

Points where sources disagree or the record could not be settled; both accounts are kept. All open questions in the archive.

• The accident happened on 5 September 1902. (uncertain) ^2,3
• The accident happened on 3 September 1902. (uncertain) ¹

Recorded claims

Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.

• Two men, John Roberts, 28, and Ebenezer Evans, 19, were killed by a fall of roof in the No. 2 pit of Cambrian Colliery, Clydach Vale, in September 1902. ^1,2,3
• The accident happened on 5 September 1902. (uncertain) ^2,3
• The accident happened on 3 September 1902. (uncertain) ¹
• They were riding out on a journey of coal when the last tram but one knocked out a collar and two others came out with it; the roof fell and buried them. ^1,2,3
• The height under the collar was only 4 ft 11 in, and a badly decayed arm was thought to have broken and let it drop. ^2,3
• The accident was in the Red seam of Cambrian Collieries Ltd. ^2,3

Related terminology

Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.

• Coal (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two men riding out on a journey of coal at Cambrian Colliery, Clydach Vale, were buried in September 1902…”
• Colliery (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two men riding out on a journey of coal at Cambrian Colliery, Clydach Vale, were buried in September 1902 when a tram knocked out…”
• Journey (contextual relationship)
  Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “Two men riding out on a journey of coal at Cambrian Colliery, Clydach Vale, were buried in September…”
• Tub (contextual relationship)
  Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…Colliery, Clydach Vale, were buried in September 1902 when a tram knocked out a collar and the roof fell.”

Sources

1. (secondary) Welsh coal mining fatalities, 1902 — Welsh Coal Mines
2. (secondary) Accident record: John Roberts, Cambrian No.2, 1902 — Northern Mine Research Society
3. (secondary) Accident record: Ebenezer Evans, Cambrian No.2, 1902 — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026