MineArchiveMaltby Colliery sinking accident, 1909
Three sinkers died at the new Maltby Main Colliery on 31 March 1909 when their hoppit caught a pump staging on the way up the shaft.
| Date | 31 March 1909 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Maltby Colliery |
| Region | South Yorkshire |
| Type | Winding / Shaft Accident |
| Fatalities | 3 (Three killed: the sinkers Sam Saunders and Arthur Orton and the chargeman Charles Simons.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
The ascending hoppit struck a pump staging in the shaft.
What happened
Maltby Main was still being sunk in March 1909. On the 31st three men were riding up a sinking pit in a hoppit when it caught a pump staging 77 yards below the surface. Sam Saunders and Arthur Orton were thrown out and fell 310 yards to the bottom of the shaft. Charles Simons, the second chargeman, stayed in the hoppit but was killed by the impact.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 31 March 1909 three sinkers were killed at Maltby Main Colliery when the hoppit in which they were ascending a sinking pit caught a pump staging 77 yards from the surface. 1,2
- Sam Saunders and Arthur Orton were thrown out and fell 310 yards to the bottom of the shaft; Charles Simons stayed in the hoppit but was killed by the impact. 1,2
- The colliery was being sunk by the Maltby Main Colliery Company. 1,2
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: “Three sinkers died at the new Maltby Main Colliery on 31 March 1909 when their hoppit caught a pump staging on the way…” - Kibble (contextual relationship)
Named 4 times in this record, first in the summary: “…died at the new Maltby Main Colliery on 31 March 1909 when their hoppit caught a pump staging on the way up the shaft.” - Shaft (contextual relationship)
Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…March 1909 when their hoppit caught a pump staging on the way up the shaft.” - Shaft Sinking (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Three sinkers died at the new Maltby Main Colliery on 31 March 1909 when their…”
Sources
- (primary) Maltby Main Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) Mining deaths 1900-1909, surnames S, part 1 (Ian Winstanley) — Healey Hero (Ian Winstanley's mining deaths lists)
Record created: 8 October 2026 · Last researched: 8 October 2026