Collinsville mine disaster

[3] In 1951 the Queensland Government had appointed Athol Lightfoot as general manager of State Coal Mines and Coke Works.

However, in the month before the disaster Lightfoot, who had planned and implemented the mechanisation, resigned from his position as general manager of State Coal Mines and Coke Works.

Mining personnel and the local Collinsville District Hospital Superintendent, Dr M.J. McEniery rallied together to rescue those still alive and to recover the bodies of those killed in the disaster.

The funeral service was held in ANZAC Hall and was conducted by Mr E. Finch, a local storekeeper who read the sermon every Sunday at the church.

The Waterside Workers' Federation national industrial officer Norm Docker attended as did numerous representatives of other unions.

[1] Initially, following the disaster, the Gair Government agreed to hold a Mining Warden's Inquiry in which miners would be able to give evidence.

But the Gair Government then scrapped the inquiry after hastily putting through parliament a Bill which prevented any further proceedings.

This turnaround caused the unions to suspect the government had an ulterior motive and a 24-hour stoppage was held at Collinsville and 30 other mines.

[1] The Collinsville State Mine continued to operate until May 1961 at which time the Nicklin Country Liberal Party Government closed it.

The Mount Mulligan accident (1921), resulting in the deaths of 75 men and boys, led to the introduction of the Coal Mining Act (1925) which included at least seven new safety provisions.

These required Mine Deputies to undertake statutory examinations and to carry flame safety lamps and gas detectors during inspections.

[1] To commemorate the lives lost in the 1954 disaster the Collinsville and Scottville communities hold a memorial service each year on 13 October.

[1] The victims of the Collinsville tragedy continue to be remembered by the state's coal miners together with those of the Mount Mulligan disaster, the Box Flat explosion (1972) and the three major accidents at Moura (1975, 1986 and 1994).