22 April 1922   

Fatal Accident   It is with feelings of deep regret that we record the fatal accident which befell Mr. David Hitchins, Dowlais, whilst following his employment at Fochriw No.1 Pit on Tuesday morning. To the bereaved we extend our sincere sympathy.

1 July 1922   

Work Resumed   Work was resumed at the Fochriw No.2 Pit on Tuesday evening after the breaking of the winding rope on Wednesday morning. Fortunately, only coal-winding was in operation at the time. The loss of wages to the men and the heavy expenditure in repairs has been great.

9 September 1922   

Fatal Accident   A fatal accident befell Mr. D. J. Burns of Dowlais who met his death by a fall of roof at No.2 Colliery Fochriw on Friday morning last. As is the custom with a fatal accident, the pit stopped work for the day.

17 November 1923  

Fochriw Pit Tragedy   On Friday morning last, at No.1 Fochriw Pit, Isaac Jones, 54, labourer, married, of 14 Brynteg, Fochriw, lost his life. Injuries were sustained by Wm. B. Mason, haulier of Penydarren, R. Connors, haulier of Penydarren, and David Wm. Lewis (slight injuries). Mason and Connors were conveyed to the Merthyr General Hospital, and Lewis to his home. ). Mr. R. J. Rhys, coroner, held an inquest at the Rising Sun Hotel on Monday. Mr. Tudor Davies, M.E., agent, and Mr. J. Bevan, M.E., Fochriw Colliery, represented the Company, Mr. M. Hughes for the Home Office, and Mr. S. O. Davies, miners’ agent, Dowlais, for the relatives. Robert Jones, brother of the deceased, gave evidence of identification.

Richard Price, timberman, said he was in charge of a number of men who were doubling timber on a double parting in the lower 6-foot seam on the east side of No.1 Pit. They had put up two arms, and when they were in the act of lifting the collar, when a fall of roof occurred, and some timber was discharged. This was without warning. Witness said that at this spot, the roof was a little treacherous, as there were balls of mine in the roof. Deceased and the three men were caught by the fall, deceased being buried outright. He was dead when extricated. Thomas Jenkins, fireman, corroborated this evidence. Mr. Tudor Davies said that the ground at this spot was subject to heavy crushes and that although the timber had been doubled, they had some trouble with it. It was revealed that the deceased was not killed by the fall, but was suffocated before being released. A verdict of ‘Accidental Death’ was recorded.