MineArchiveGolborne Colliery explosion, 1979
A firedamp explosion in the Plodder Seam at Golborne Colliery killed ten men on 18 March 1979; a 20-year-old apprentice electrician, seriously injured, was the sole survivor among those caught in the blast.
| Date | 18 March 1979 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Golborne Colliery |
| Region | Greater Manchester |
| Type | Explosion |
| Fatalities | 10 (Ten men killed: John T. Berry, Colin Dallimore, Desmond Edwards (44), Patrick Grainey (40), Peter Grainey (41, Patrick's brother), Raymond A. Hill (33), John McKenna, Walter McPherson (45), Brian Sherman (23) and Bernard Trumble (34). Apprentice electrician Brian Rawsthorne, 20, was seriously injured but survived.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
Ventilation fans on the Intake Drivage had been shut down for 10-15 hours for electrical maintenance, allowing an explosive concentration of firedamp to build up in the Plodder Seam. Ignition occurred when electrician Colin Dallimore, testing a section switch interlocking circuit with a rectifier, produced a spark between two live connector pins in an auxiliary plug on a 25-volt circuit that was not intrinsically safe.
What happened
The explosion struck around 11:15am, roughly 1,800ft underground. Three men died instantly; seven others died later in hospital. Survivor Brian Rawsthorne was catapulted backwards by the blast; he later told rescuers 'Come here. I want to tell you what happened. I told him not to do it.'
Rescue & recovery
The Boothstown Mines Rescue Brigade responded, conducting multiple underground searches and recovering casualties over roughly 90 minutes, with the last body recovered at 1:50pm.
Investigation & inquiry
An official inquiry led by H.M. Chief Inspector of Mines, L. D. Rhydderch, found the 25-volt auxiliary circuit for the fan switch was not intrinsically safe and could produce ignition-capable sparks during testing or connection work.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
The inquiry made six recommendations, including relocating switchgear to safer locations, capping firedamp at 1.25% under de-gassing protocols, mandatory intrinsically-safe testing procedures, better coordination between mining and electrical departments, and maintaining alternative ventilation for gassy conditions. An inquest in October 1979 returned verdicts of death by misadventure for all ten victims, and a Mayor's appeal fund raised £30,000 for their dependants.
Memorials & commemoration
A memorial stone was dedicated on Kid Glove Road in 2006; two streets on the Rothwells Farm development, Edwards Trumble Meadow and McPherson Place, are named after victims, and annual remembrance services continue to mark the anniversary.
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “A firedamp explosion in the Plodder Seam at Golborne Colliery killed ten men on 18 March 1979; a 20-year-old apprentice…” - Firedamp (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “A firedamp explosion in the Plodder Seam at Golborne Colliery killed ten men on…” - HM Chief Inspector of Mines (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s investigation: “An official inquiry led by H.M. Chief Inspector of Mines, L. D. Rhydderch, found the 25-volt auxiliary circuit for the fan…” - Return Airway (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “Ventilation fans on the Intake Drivage had been shut down for 10-15 hours for electrical…”
Sources
- (observational) Golborne Mining Disaster — Lowton and Golborne News
- (observational) Remembering the Golborne Colliery Disaster — Lowton and Golborne News
- (secondary) Golborne Colliery Explosion - Golborne - 1979 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 26 August 2026 · Last researched: 26 August 2026