Sheffield Telegraph, 9 February 1917

Fatal Accident at Manvers Main

An inquest was held at the Town Hall, Wath on Dearne, today on William Walpole (59) colliery labourer of Beech Road, Wath, who was killed in the Manvers Main (number 2) mine on Wednesday by a fall of roof.

The evidence of Arthur Brown, Labourer, of 2 Angel Street, Bolton on Dearne, and John Westgarth, deputy of 101, Doncaster Road, Wath, show that the accident occurred at 1145 on Wednesday morning, when Walpole and Brown were engaged in drawing timber.

The rules cracked in the fall occur, forcing Walpole into a kneeling position, and ultimately suffocating him.

He did not speak after 12 o’clock. Brown and Westgarth almost succeeded in extricating him, when the second fall occurred, completely burying Walpole, whose body was recovered at 1.45.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.