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Mary D Coal Company
Mary D Colliery Hoisting Disaster

Mary D, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
May 29, 1914
No. Killed - 6

1914 Pennsylvania Annual Report Description  (252 Kb)  PDF Format


Successful Rescue

An over hoist accident occurred in the tower of the south hoist way, main shaft of the Mary D Colliery, when the self-dumping cage containing 8 men was hoisted above the dumping chute in the shaft tower.  Six men were instantly killed, 5 falling into the opening over the shaft.  Five men fell to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of 600 feet.  One man fell to the surface, landing 20 feet below the dumping chute and was also killed.  The seventh man was thrown into the dump chute, sustaining a fractured leg and lacerations about the head.  The eighth man clung to the crosshead of the cage and when rescued after an undisclosed period was found to be suffering from shock and a few scratches.


On May 29, 1914 about 3:15pm, an overhoist accident occurred in the tower of the south hoistway, main shaft of the Mary "D" Colliery of the Mary "D" Coal Company in Mary "D", Pennsylvania.

When the self dumping cage containing 8 men was hoisted above the dumping chute in the shaft tower, six men were instantly killed; five fell down the shaft about 600 feet, and one fell to the ground at the surface, landing about 20 feet below the dumping chute.

The seventh man was thrown into the dump chute, sustaining a compound fractured leg and lacerations about the head.

The eighth man clung to the cross-head of the cage and was rescued from that position.  He suffered only shock and a few scratches.

The deceased:
  • Leonard Kodorsky, 34
  • Thomas Novack, 56
  • William Petrusky, 22
  • Joseph Shenlinsky, 36
  • Henry Weicher, 55
  • Martin Wychofsky, 36
Injured:
  • George Dorwig, 44
Source: Pennsylvania Anthracite Mine Accidents, 1914-1923  PDF Format




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