Not quite the same as the Potteries story as the deceased was recovered but
near to the Old Park pit in Wednesbury STS........
"In 1897 a Corporation nightwatchman, Mr Hodgkiss, put there to
specifically warn passing pedestrians of the underground burning coal holes,
himself fell into one of the burning voids on the Old Park Road quite near
to the Black Horse public house and died. A Police Constable Richard Goldby
bravely climbed down into the 15ft deep crater to recover the workman's
charred body - later receiving a commendation from Queen Victoria. There was
an underground fire in Old Park Road as late as 1935."
Nowadays, it's just houses that fall into the workings in that area! Four in
the past 18 months with more ready to go.
Dave 8-)
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Keith Edmondson
Sent: 18 January 2003 21:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: "Pitshaft death that shocked the Potteries"
The Saturday January 18th Edition of "The Sentinel" newspaper includes the
following item
"This year marks the centenary of the death of Thomas Holland in one of the
most horrifying accidents in Potteries history.
He was swallowed up by an old pitshaft which opened up beneath his feet in
St John Street, Hanley, as he walked to work one morning in 1903, Poor
Thomas was never seen again and a funeral service was held around the gaping
hole.
<<<<<<<<<<SNIP>>>>>>>>>
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