MineArchiveCwmaman Colliery haulage accident, 1910
Two boys hurrying to the pit bottom at the end of their shift at Cwmaman Colliery were overtaken and killed by a journey of drams on 1 October 1910.
| Date | 1 October 1910 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Cwmaman Colliery |
| Region | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Type | Haulage / Transport |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: Albert John Harris and Lewis Lewis.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A journey of full drams overtook the boys; drams jumped the rails, knocked out supports and brought down roof.
What happened
On 1 October 1910 Albert John Harris, 17, and Lewis Lewis, 16, were making their way to the pit bottom at Cwmaman Colliery after their shift. They passed the rider, Gwilym Roberts, who told them his journey of full drams was about to start. Soon after it set off the drams blocked together and several jumped the rails, knocking out supports and bringing down roof. The two boys were found lying across the drams, both dead. A collier walking behind them had stepped into a manhole and was unhurt.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 1 October 1910 two boys at Cwmaman Colliery, Albert John Harris, 17, and Lewis Lewis, 16, were killed by a journey of drams as they made their way to the pit bottom after their shift. 1,2
- A journey of full drams was set off behind them; several drams jumped the rails and knocked out supports, bringing down roof, and the boys were overtaken and run over. 1,2
- The rider had told the boys the journey was about to start as they passed him. 1
- The colliery belonged to the Cwmaman Coal Co. Ltd. 2
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: “…boys hurrying to the pit bottom at the end of their shift at Cwmaman Colliery were overtaken and killed by a journey of drams on 1 October 1910.” - Journey (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…of their shift at Cwmaman Colliery were overtaken and killed by a journey of drams on 1 October 1910.” - Tub (contextual relationship)
Named 6 times in this record, first in the summary: “…shift at Cwmaman Colliery were overtaken and killed by a journey of drams on 1 October 1910.”
Sources
- (secondary) Welsh Coal Mines fatalities, 1910 — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Accident record: A.J. Harris, Cwmaman, 1910 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 9 October 2026 · Last researched: 9 October 2026