Coal Firm Guilty Over Yorkshire Miner's Death

16 March 2012, 15:15 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

UK Coal has admitted it failed to make sure workers and contractors were safe at Kellingley Colliery in North Yorkshire.

The prosecution follows the death of 46 year old miner Ian Cameron in October 2009 who was crushed by equipment at the pit.

A judge at Leeds Crown Court has accepted guilty pleas in writing from the firm.

But Judge Peter Collier QC said UK Coal will not be sentenced until a trial has been completed later this year, relating to the same incident, but concerning a different firm.

Mr Cameron's death was one of three at Kellingley in the last three years. Don Cook died in a rock fall in September 2008 and last September 49 year old Gerry Gibson died in another underground incident.

Kellingley is the largest remaining deep mine in Yorkshire.