MineArchiveWestrigg Colliery roof fall, 1920
On 29 January 1920 a heavy fall of roof in United Collieries' Westrigg Colliery at Blackridge buried seven men. When they were dug out John M'Garrity was dead; Peter Marshall and George Sneddon, taken with James Watson to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, died later, Sneddon on 24 March. Three others were less seriously hurt.
| Date | 29 January 1920 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Westrigg Colliery |
| Region | North Lanarkshire |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 3 (3: John M'Garrity of Blackridge, killed outright; Peter Marshall of Entyfoot, who died in the Infirmary; and George Ratcliffe Sneddon of Blackridge, who died on 24 March 1920. Contemporary reports headed it 'two men killed'.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
A heavy fall from the roof.
Rescue & recovery
The seven men were dug out from under the debris; the three most seriously injured were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the others treated at home.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 29 January 1920 a heavy fall of roof at Westrigg Colliery, near Armadale, buried seven men. 1,2
- John M'Garrity was dead when dug out, Peter Marshall died in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and George Sneddon died on 24 March 1920. 1,3,4
- Four other men were injured, one of them seriously. 1
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: “On 29 January 1920 a heavy fall of roof in United Collieries' Westrigg Colliery at Blackridge buried seven men. When they were…” - Roof Fall (contextual relationship)
Named in this record’s summary: “On 29 January 1920 a heavy fall of roof in United Collieries' Westrigg Colliery at Blackridge buried seven…”
Sources
- (secondary) Scottish Mining Website: Lothians accidents 1915-1920 — Scottish Mining Website
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Westrigg, 1920 (McGarrity) — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Westrigg, 1920 (Marshall) — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: Westrigg, 1920 (Sneddon) — Northern Mine Research Society
Record created: 13 October 2026 · Last researched: 13 October 2026