The Pretoria Pit disaster was a mining accident that occurred on 21 December 1910, when there was an underground explosion at the Hulton Bank Colliery No. 3 Pit, known as the Pretoria Pit, in Over Hulton, Westhoughton, then in the county of Lancashire, England.
At 7:50am, there was an explosion in the Plodder Mine, which was thought to have been caused by an accumulation of gas from a roof collapse the previous day.
That day 345 workers descended the Number 3 pit shaft to work in the Plodder mines. Of those, only four survived to be brought to the surface. One died immediately and one the next day. In addition, one man died in the Arley Mine of Number 4 Pit, bringing the total to 344. There was a final fatality that day, who died while fighting a fire in Number 3 pit.
This was the second worse mining accident in England, and the third worse in Britain.
The locomotive which brought the coal from the pit to Westhoughton is kept in the compound of the local recycling company.
Beautiful shot and wonderful colour, although I would prefer seeing the locomotive in working order! Fascinating background info about the mine and it's terrible disaster. Life was very cheap in those days.
Great shot and such a sad story to go with it. Very interesting though. 344 people died, must have been half the town. My mum lived in Westhoughton for a few years.
fascinating back story and so extremely sad. the engine is a beauty in its green and rust and blue colors; wish it wasn't a sad reminder of such a tragic event.
February 22nd, 2013
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