MineArchiveWrithlington Colliery roof fall, 1902
On 11 June 1902 a stone about eight yards long fell on two repairers enlarging the water standage at the bottom of the pumping pit at the Writhlington, Huish and Foxcote collieries near Radstock, killing William Ford and George Nokes.
| Date | 11 June 1902 |
|---|---|
| Mine | Writhlington Colliery |
| Region | Somerset |
| Type | Collapse / Roof Fall |
| Fatalities | 2 (William Ford, 30, repairer, and George Nokes (Noakes in the NMRS record), 45, repairer.) |
| Context | During active mining |
Cause
While the top was being ripped and the road cleared at the bottom of the pumping pit to increase the size of the standage, a stone about eight yards long, freed by a slip that was apparently invisible, fell on the men.
Contributing factors
Another repairer was trying to wedge the stone down from inside, believing it was very strong and could only be got down in pieces.
Recorded claims
Individual factual claims, each attached to the source(s) that support it below. Where sources disagree, both are kept.
- On 11 June 1902 two repairers, William Ford and George Nokes, were killed at Writhlington Colliery by the fall of a stone about eight yards long. 1,2,3
- They were ripping the top and clearing the road at the bottom of the pumping pit to enlarge the standage when the stone, freed by an apparently invisible slip, fell. 1,2,3
- Another repairer was trying to wedge the stone down from inside, believing it too strong to come down except in pieces. 1
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: “…the bottom of the pumping pit at the Writhlington, Huish and Foxcote collieries near Radstock, killing William Ford and George Nokes.”
Sources
- (primary) Disasters - Names: Writhlington, Huish and Foxcote, 11 June 1902 (Durham Mining Museum) — Durham Mining Museum
- (secondary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: William Ford, Writhlington, 11 June 1902 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (secondary) NMRS Coal Mining Accidents and Deaths: George Noakes, Writhlington, 11 June 1902 — Northern Mine Research Society
- (primary) Writhlington Colliery — Durham Mining Museum
Record created: 25 October 2026 · Last researched: 25 October 2026