Yorkshire mine accident victim named

Mine inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

In a joint statement with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), UK Coal said: “UK Coal and the NUM regret to confirm the name of our colleague and friend who lost his life in yesterday’s tragic accident has been named as Gerry Gibson.

“Gerry was 49 years old and a highly skilled and well respected coal face worker, having worked in the industry since 1979.Our other injured colleague is recovering at home and a full investigation is now under way.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Gerry during this tragic time.”

Andrew Macintosh, UK Coal’s communications director, said the initial inquiry had shown no problems with the coal seam or the equipment, which he said was almost brand new, costing millions of pounds.

Health and safety investigaters will be joined by officers from North Yorkshire police to try and find out how the accident happened.

Safety concerns

There have been two recent safety-related incidents at the mine, which employs about 500 staff.

In 2009 a 46-year old man died after an apparent equipment failure. At the time, UK Coal received summonses from the Health and Safety Executive relating to four deaths in separate incidents at its collieries.

On 30 November 2010, 200 workers were evacuated from the pit after a methane explosion underground and in September 2008, another man died in a rock fall.

In the risk section of UK Coal’s website, it stresses health and safety issues in mining are “characteristic of a potentially high risk industry”.

The group says: “In addition to performance monitoring arrangements within individual businesses, report and feedback mechanisms exist to provide regular independent reviews of health and safety risk management arrangements, with internal controls across the group in accordance with Turnbull requirements and HSG65, Successful Health and Safety Management.”

Funeral

The accident follows the deaths of four men at the Gleision drift mine in South Wales earlier in September.

Relatives of one of the men, Charles Breslin, are due to pay their respects at his funeral later. Breslin, 62, was one of four men who died when water engulfed the mine in Cilybebyll, Pontardawe, earlier in September.

Mr Breslin’s funeral will be the first of those that perished with the others following in the next few days.