Mine tours suspended at tragedy museum

The 58-year-old was killed on Tuesday morning after becoming trapped by heavy machinery while working underground at the National Coal Mining Museum, formerly Caphouse Colliery, at Overton, near Wakefield.

Yesterday a museum spokesman said the man, who has not been named, was part of a team of contractors working on a project to extend the museum's underground tour.

The spokesman added: "The museum would once again like to extend its deepest sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues.

"The accident occurred underground, where the man was part of a team of contractors working on a project to extend the museum's underground tour. It is understood that his fatal injuries were caused when he was trapped by the machinery being used. The accident happened before the museum was open to the public and at no time was there any danger to visitors."

The structure of the underground area where the work was being carried out was not a factor in the accident, he added.

The Health & Safety Executive's Mines Inspectorate is on site conducting a full investigation into the accident,

The museum was closed on Tuesday and remained shut yesterday,

Today the above ground facilities will re-open to the public but the underground tour is expected to remain closed until next week.

The work being carried out underground is part of a 2.7m Heritage Lottery funded project to extend an underground roadway to enhance the visitor experience at the museum.

Almost 100,000 people a year go on an underground tour at the museum, accompanied by retired and former miners.

The museum hosts about 500 school visits each year and is also a conference venue.