Merthyr Vale Colliery roof fall, 1902

A ripper and his assistant at Merthyr Vale Colliery were killed in January 1902 when the clod they were barring down fell on them before they could move.

Cause

A large piece of clod being barred down fell suddenly on the two men.

What happened

In January 1902 Thomas Oliver, a ripper of 22, and his assistant William Griffin, also 22, were working in the No. 6 heading of the No. 1 pit at Merthyr Vale Colliery, in the Four Feet seam, barring down a piece of clod about 7½ feet by 4½ feet and 2 feet thick. It fell suddenly before they could get out of the way and killed them both. The day is given as the 7th in one account and the 8th in another.

What's uncertain

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

• The accident happened on 7 January 1902. (uncertain) ¹
• The accident happened on 8 January 1902. (uncertain) ^2,3

Recorded claims

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

• In January 1902 a ripper, Thomas Oliver, 22, and his assistant William Griffin, 22, were killed by a fall of clod at the face in the No. 1 pit of Merthyr Vale Colliery. ^1,2,3
• The accident happened on 7 January 1902. (uncertain) ¹
• The accident happened on 8 January 1902. (uncertain) ^2,3
• They were barring down a piece of clod about 7½ feet by 4½ feet and 2 feet thick when it fell suddenly before they could get out of the way. ^1,2,3
• The accident was in the Four Feet seam of Nixon's Navigation Coal Co. Ltd. ^2,3

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: “A ripper and his assistant at Merthyr Vale Colliery were killed in January 1902 when the clod they were barring down…”
• Ripping (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “A ripper and his assistant at Merthyr Vale Colliery were killed in January…”

Sources

1. (secondary) Welsh coal mining fatalities, 1902 — Welsh Coal Mines
2. (secondary) Accident record: Thomas Oliver, Merthyr Vale No.1, 1902 — Northern Mine Research Society
3. (secondary) Accident record: William Griffin, Merthyr Vale No.1, 1902 — Northern Mine Research Society

Record created: 9 October 2026 · Last researched: 9 October 2026