Death mine company due in court over earlier fatality in Yorkshire pit

The company that runs the Yorkshire pit where a miner died earlier this week is due to appear in court today in relation to the death of another worker at the same colliery.

UK Coal will appear at Pontefract Magistrates’ Court to answer allegations of health and safety breaches relating to the death of miner Ian Cameron at Kellingley Colliery.

Mr Cameron, 46, died when equipment fell on him at the North Yorkshire pit in October 2009.

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Earlier this week, Gerry Gibson, 49, died after a roof fall.

Mr Gibson’s death was the third death in three years at the colliery.

Miner Don Cook died in September 2008 in a rock fall.

Yesterday, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed UK Coal is due to appear in court alongside mining equipment firm Joy Mining Machinery Limited.

UK Coal is charged with a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

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Worcester-based Joy Mining Machinery Limited is charged with breaching Section 6(1)(d) of the same Act. In a separate prosecution, UK Coal is due to be sentenced in October for breaching health and safety regulations in cases relating to the deaths of four miners at pits in the Midlands.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne visited Kellingley yesterday, accompanied by Nigel Adams, the MP for Selby and Ainsty, and said he was impressed by the “solidarity” of the workforce and management.

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