MineArchivePonthenry Colliery outburst, 1928
On 10 July 1928 an outburst of fine coal dust and methane at Ponthenry Colliery in the Gwendraeth Valley killed two miners, seriously injured three and injured about twenty more. It was the last of the four fatal outbursts at the pit between 1920 and 1928.
| Date | 10 July 1928 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Ponthenry Colliery |
| Region | Carmarthenshire |
| Type | Gas / Asphyxiation |
| Fatalities | 2 (David John Lewis, 45, and Richard John Williams, 18; three seriously injured and about twenty others injured.) |
| Injuries | 23 |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
An outburst: a sudden release of fine coal dust and methane from the seam.
Contributing factors
Ponthenry's seams, the Pumpquart above all, were notorious for outbursts; 37 were recorded.
What happened
Ponthenry was a Gwendraeth Valley anthracite mine working several drifts, and one of the most dangerous pits in Britain for outbursts, which killed ten miners in four incidents between 1920 and 1928. On 10 July 1928 another outburst killed David John Lewis and Richard John Williams and injured more than twenty.
Rescue & recovery
Unknown.
Investigation & inquiry
Unknown.
Legal & regulatory aftermath
Unknown.
Changes to practice & legislation
Unknown.
Memorials & commemoration
Unknown.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- The outburst on 10 July 1928 killed two miners, seriously injured three and injured another twenty: David John Lewis, 45, and Richard John Williams, 18. 1,2
- There were 37 outbursts in all, which claimed ten lives. 1
Related terminology
Mining terms this disaster is structurally linked to, with the nature of the relationship.
- Coal (contextual relationship)
Named twice in this record, first in the summary: “On 10 July 1928 an outburst of fine coal dust and methane at Ponthenry Colliery in the Gwendraeth Valley…” - Colliery (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “…10 July 1928 an outburst of fine coal dust and methane at Ponthenry Colliery in the Gwendraeth Valley killed two miners, seriously injured three…” - Drift (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s narrative: “Ponthenry was a Gwendraeth Valley anthracite mine working several drifts, and one of the most dangerous pits in Britain for outbursts, which…” - Outburst (contextual relationship)
Named 6 times in this record, first in the summary: “On 10 July 1928 an outburst of fine coal dust and methane at Ponthenry Colliery in the…”
Sources
- (secondary) Ponthenry Colliery — Welsh Coal Mines
- (secondary) Pont Henry Colliery — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 19 September 2026 · Last researched: 21 September 2026