Nearly 60 years ago one of the worst mining accidents in the history of British coal mining occurred in the Ayrshire village of New Cumnock.

For several tense days in September 1950 the world’s media descended on the small Ayrshire mining village.  The world paused with baited breath as rescuers battled bravely against all odds to reach the men trapped deep underground.

This is a truly remarkable story of how ordinary men worked tirelessly in a race against time and the forces of nature to achieve one of the most dramatic and remarkable rescues ever attempted.

This site aims to provide a comprehensive account of the disaster as it unfolded, drawing on contemporary newspaper reports, photographs and eyewitness accounts and the subsequent official Government Inquiry.

I have included excerpts from interviews that I conducted with survivors and their families in the early 1980‘s as part of a college assignment.

I wish to acknowledge copyright of photographic and other media used in the site.  I will respect the wishes of any person, persons or organisation who requests that material is removed.

I welcome any further information, correction of erroneous facts, eyewitness accounts, contemporary photographs and newspaper reports that could be included on the site in a bid to create the most comprehensive internet reference source on  Knockshinnoch.  All contributions will be acknowledged.

To contact me, click on the ‘Email Me’ link to right.

I hope that you find the site of interest.

Thank you.