To be classified as a disaster, an accident or explosion at a mine had to claim at least ten lives. The Whitehaven coal field suffered many disasters and innumerable smaller accidents. It has been estimated that over 1700 men, women, and children have lost their lives while mining coal in the Whitehaven collieries.
This is Haig Pit in Whitehaven. It produced coal from 1916 to 1986 and is now a working museum.
