On Saturday, July 1, 2023, History of Consett Steelworks will be hosting a commemoration event to mark the 73rd anniversary of the 1950 gas accident at the Consett Blast Furnace.
The event will be held at the Hub in Consett from 11am to 2pm.
The 1950 gas accident was a tragic event that claimed the lives of 11 men. The accident occurred when a cloud of carbon monoxide gas leaked from one of the blast furnaces. The gas quickly spread through the furnace, knocking out the workers inside. Several men were able to escape, but 11 were killed.
The 1950 gas accident was a major blow to the Consett community. The steelworks was the town’s main employer, and the loss of so many workers had a devastating impact on the local economy. The accident also had a lasting impact on the families of the victims.
The commemoration event on Saturday will be an opportunity for the Consett community to come together to remember the victims of the 1950 gas accident. The event will feature a display about the accident, as well as 3D mapping of the site and virtual reality images. The event is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.
Kathleen Rymer Shares Her Story
Kathleen Rymer is a former employee of the National Union of Blast furnacemen, Ore Miners, Coke Workers and Kindred Trades. She worked in the head office of the union in Middlesbrough, and she was involved in the aftermath of the 1950 gas accident at the Consett Blast Furnace.
In an interview, Rymer shared her memories of the accident. She said that she was working in the head office when she received a phone call from the Consett branch of the union. The caller told her that there had been an accident at the blast furnace and that several men had been killed.
Rymer said that she was shocked and saddened by the news. She immediately went to the Consett branch of the union to help with the relief efforts. She worked with other union members to collect donations for the families of the victims, and she helped to organise funeral arrangements.
Rymer said that the 1950 gas accident was a difficult time for the Consett community. She said that the accident had a lasting impact on the families of the victims and that it also had a negative impact on the local economy.
Despite the tragedy, Rymer said that she is proud of the way that the Consett community came together to support the victims of the accident. She said that the accident showed the strength and resilience of the community and that it helped to bring people together.
For more information about this event and to stay updated, please visit the event’s Facebook page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2369532889893654/
To learn more about the History of Consett Steelworks and their efforts to commemorate the 1950 accident, you can search for their Facebook page using the following keywords: “History of Consett Steelworks- 1950’s Accident Commemoration Day at the Hub.”
