§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement concerning the accident at Murton colliery on Sunday 5 June which led to several injuries and one subsequent fatality.
§ Mr. NichollsI note with regret the death on 18 June 1988 of a 37-year-old fitter who had been employed by British Coal at Murton colliery. This man had been involved with three other workmen in an accident which occurred at 03.00 hours on Monday 6 June 1988. The accident happened when one wall of a steel chamber at the exit from a borehole collapsed. Three other men suffered injuries. Two of them are still absent from work, while one was fit enough to resume duty.
The accident was reported to the Health and Safety Executive's mines and quarries inspectorate who inspected the site on the same day. Discussions with British Coal management to prevent a recurrence are under way.