It took several days of heroic effort by rescue teams to reach the entombed men and boys – all to no avail as all were dead.

A fitting Memorial to all of them is at the nearby St Alban's Church, Earsdon, where an obelisk in the churchyard lists the names and ages of all the casualties.

Additionally the everlasting memorial is that Parliament quickly passed a law ensuring that all future pits opened had to have two shafts.

The village was home to ex-Liverpool and Arsenal footballer Ray Kennedy, who had begun his career with the New Hartley Juniors.

Local bus operator Phoenix also provides a 2 times a day service (weekdays only) to nearby Cramlington.