 Memorials to the miners who died in the Knockshinnoch disaster. | |
| Date | 7 September 1950 |
|---|---|
| Time | 7.30pm |
| Location | New Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°23′14″N 4°11′56″W / 55.38722222222222°N 4.198888888888889°W |
| Participants | 129 miners |
| Outcome | 116 rescued |
| Deaths | 13 |
| Verdict | flooding caused by peat bog |
The Knockshinnoch disaster was a mining accident that occurred in September 1950 in the village of New Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. A glaciated lake filled with liquid peat and moss flooded pit workings, trapping more than a hundred miners underground. For several days rescue teams worked non-stop to reach the trapped men. Most were eventually rescued three days later, but 13 died. The disaster was an international media event.