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Disaster at Kames Colliery, Muirkirk

Disaster at Kames Colliery, Muirkirk

Coal mining was by its nature a dangerous occupation and few mining communities escaped the loss of men in accidents. In the Ayrshire coalfield the largest loss of life in a single incident occurred at Kames Colliery, Muirkirk, on the evening of Tuesday 19th November 1957. 169 men were at work when an underground explosion occurred. 17 men were killed and 12 injured. Kames had been considered a safe mine; so safe that smoking underground was permitted.

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