MineArchiveHassockrigg Colliery roof fall, 1935
Nearly five tons of debris fell on two men working behind a coal-cutting machine at Hassockrigg Colliery, Shotts, early on 4 April 1935; they were dead of suffocation when dug out an hour later.
| Date | 4 April 1935 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Hassockrigg Colliery |
| Region | North Lanarkshire |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (Two killed: Thomas Naylas and Patrick Warner.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A fall of roof debris behind a coal-cutting machine.
What happened
Early on 4 April 1935 Thomas Naylas, a machineman of 47, and Patrick Warner, 25, were working together at the rear of a coal-cutting machine in the Coltness Iron Company's Hassockrigg Colliery when nearly five tons of debris came down, pinning them to the pavement and burying them. At first Warner was thought to be elsewhere in the section, but it was soon found that he too was under the fall. Both were freed after an hour's work and found dead of suffocation. Naylas left a widow and nine children. The colliery's miners stayed idle the next day out of respect.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- Early on 4 April 1935 a fall of nearly five tons of debris at Hassockrigg Colliery, Shotts, killed Thomas Naylas, 47, and Patrick Warner, 25. 1,2
- The two were working at the rear of a coal-cutting machine and were pinned to the pavement and buried. 1,2
- Warner was at first thought to be elsewhere in the section; both were dug out after an hour, dead of suffocation. 1,2
- The colliery's miners stayed idle for the day as a mark of respect. 1,2
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…fell on two men working behind a coal-cutting machine at Hassockrigg Colliery, Shotts, early on 4 April 1935; they were dead of suffocation when…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s cause: “A fall of roof debris behind a coal-cutting machine.”
Sources
- (primary) Shotts parish accidents post 1900 — Scottish Mining Website — Scottish Mining Website
- (secondary) Accident record: Thomas Naylas, Hassockrigg, 1935 — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 4 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026