Lofthouse Mining Disaster

Hybrid Zoom Meeting

Lofthouse Pit Disaster’s 50^th Anniversary

Speakers: Tony Banks and Eddie Downes

According to Eddie virtually everyone who lives in the area will have a miner somewhere in their ancestry.  Our speakers are both ex miners whose families had worked in the industry for generations. They are key members of the Wakefield Mining Heritage Group which has undertaken various projects to create memorials to ensure that this very significant industry is not forgotten.  Our event is one of a number that they will run to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the Lofthouse Pit Disaster.

Eddie who is the author of “Yorkshire Collieries 1747 -1997” will begin the presentation by talking about the history of the Lofthouse Colliery. He will then hand over to Tony who was on shift at the mine at the time of the disaster and who will give a personal account of the incident, the people involved, and the rescue attempt.