Commons tribute to Ayrshire men killed at coal mine

(See also Update Jan 2008 - Another man killed at Pennyvennie open cast mine )

February 28 2007 - Two men who were killed when they were crushed by a dumper truck, at the Scottish Coal-owned Pennyvenie open-cast mine site in Dalmellington (East Ayrshire) on Monday afternoon, had tributes paid to them in the House of Commons yesterday.

The men ( named as Colin Ferguson, 37, and Brian French, 48. ) were in a vehicle which was run over by a dumper truck. They were pronounced dead at the scene. The site has been closed while the Health and Safety Executive begins its investigation.

Sandra Osborne, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, said: "This is a terrible tragedy and will be felt very deeply by the mining community who have lost so many in the past."

The dead men were reported to have been in a Land Rover ( apparently en-route to fix faulty machinery) and there has been speculation their vehicle was too close to a 17-foot-high Caterpillar dumper truck, for driver Alan Shannon to see them as he reversed. Mr Shannon is reported to be "devastated" by the accident.

Strathclyde Police said a report will be sent to the procurator-fiscal.
Andrew Foster, Scottish Coal's managing director, said: "As an investigation is under way, it would be inappropriate to make comment on the specific details of the accident. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and work colleagues of the deceased."
Nicky Wilson, president of the National Union of Mineworkers, said: "It's a terrible tragedy and all our thoughts are with these men's families."
Pennyvenie open-cast mine has been open since 1986; it employs around 140 men at the site, and produces 750,000 tonnes of coal a year.
The deaths of Mr Ferguson and Mr French are the second fatal accident at the mine in recent years. In June 2000, Neil Hodge was crushed to death by a truck.