Dundonald Colliery electrocution, 1924

Two miners working a coal-cutting machine in Dundonald Colliery, Cardenden, were electrocuted early on 2 October 1924, apparently when a stone fell on the machine's power cable.

Cause

An electrical failure at a coal-cutting machine, supposed to have been caused by a stone falling on the cable.

What happened

Early on the morning of Thursday 2 October 1924 Andrew Greig, 48, and Samuel Marshall, 25, were cutting coal with an electric machine in Dundonald Colliery, Cardenden, the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company's pit. Something went wrong with the driving power and there was an electrical explosion at the machine end. Both men were electrocuted. They had been talking to the brushers shortly before, and were found by Peter Malone, who was securing the roof in front of them.

Officials, mine inspectors and a number of workmen went down to examine the place later that morning, but no particulars were given out, and the local paper called the circumstances a mystery. It was supposed that a stone had fallen on the cable and fused it.

What's uncertain

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

• Something went wrong with the machine's electric supply, causing an electrical explosion at the machine end; a stone was supposed to have fallen on the cable and fused it. (uncertain) ^1,2

Recorded claims

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

• Early on Thursday 2 October 1924 two miners, Andrew Greig, 48, and Samuel Marshall, 25, were electrocuted while working a coal-cutting machine in Dundonald Colliery, Cardenden. ^1,2
• Something went wrong with the machine's electric supply, causing an electrical explosion at the machine end; a stone was supposed to have fallen on the cable and fused it. (uncertain) ^1,2
• The two were found by Peter Malone, who had been securing the roof in front of them. ^1,2
• The colliery belonged to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co. Ltd. ²
• Officials and mine inspectors went down the pit the same morning, but no particulars were given out afterwards. ^1,2

Related terminology

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

• Coal (contextual relationship)
  Named in this record’s narrative: “…October 1924 Andrew Greig, 48, and Samuel Marshall, 25, were cutting coal with an electric machine in Dundonald Colliery, Cardenden, the…”
• Colliery (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two miners working a coal-cutting machine in Dundonald Colliery, Cardenden, were electrocuted early on 2 October 1924, apparently…”
• Ripping (contextual relationship)
  Named in this record’s narrative: “…end. Both men were electrocuted. They had been talking to the brushers shortly before, and were found by Peter Malone, who was securing the…”

Sources

1. (secondary) Accidents post 1914 (Scottish Mining Website) — Scottish Mining Website
2. (secondary) Accident record: Andrew Greig, Dundonald, 1924 — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 30 September 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026