Onllwyn Colliery roof fall, 1909

Two hauliers at Onllwyn Colliery were killed on 23 April 1909 when a derailed tram of stones struck a timber framing, which collapsed and brought down the roof.

Cause

A derailed tram struck and collapsed a timber framing supporting the roof at a stall-road entrance.

What happened

On 23 April 1909 two hauliers at Onllwyn Colliery, Evan Ingram, 39, and George Waring, 35, were taking a tram laden with stones into a stall road in the Nine Feet seam. At the entrance it came off the rails on a curve and struck an arm supporting a square framing of timbers that held up the roof. The framing collapsed, and a large quantity of broken coal and soft black shale fell on the two men. Both were dead when they were got out.

Recorded claims

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

• On 23 April 1909 two hauliers, Evan Ingram, 39, and George Waring, 35, were killed by a fall of roof at Onllwyn Colliery. ^1,2,3
• A tram of stones being taken into a stall road came off the rails on a curve at the entrance and struck an arm supporting a square framing of timbers, which collapsed. ^1,2,3
• Broken coal and soft black shale fell from the roof on the two men, and both were dead when they were got out. ^2,3
• The accident was in the Nine Feet seam of Evans and Bevan's colliery. ^2,3

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: “…up the roof. The framing collapsed, and a large quantity of broken coal and soft black shale fell on the two men. Both were dead when they…”
• Colliery (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two hauliers at Onllwyn Colliery were killed on 23 April 1909 when a derailed tram of stones struck a…”
• Haulier (contextual relationship)
  Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “Two hauliers at Onllwyn Colliery were killed on 23 April 1909 when a derailed…”
• Stall (contextual relationship)
  Named in this record’s narrative: “…and George Waring, 35, were taking a tram laden with stones into a stall road in the Nine Feet seam. At the entrance it came off the rails on…”
• Tub (contextual relationship)
  Named 3 times in this record, first in the summary: “…at Onllwyn Colliery were killed on 23 April 1909 when a derailed tram of stones struck a timber framing, which collapsed and brought down…”

Sources

1. (secondary) 1909 fatalities — Welsh Coal Mines
2. (secondary) Accident record: Evan Ingram, Onllwyn, 1909 — Northern Mine Research Society
3. (secondary) Accident record: George Waring, Onllwyn, 1909 — Northern Mine Research Society

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