Aberdeen Press and Journal, Wednesday 27th March 1968.
Scots Miner Tempted Fate - Died.
Miner William Hutton (46), died after defying a superstition he had followed for 22 years, his brother, Mr Benjamin Hutton said yesterday at an inquiry at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. Mr Hutton explained that his brother, of Wedderburn Crescent, Dunfermline, had made it a rule never to work underground on the last shift of the year, because of a miners' superstition that this was tempting fate. But on December 29 he had decided to work the last shift, so that he would have full pay and extra time off.
Two hours after starting the shift at Comrie Colliery he was killed by a one-ton stone which fell from the roof at the face. Mr Hutton said "Working the last shift of the year meant that Willie would have four days holiday - and he loved his New Year. He loved it more than he feared the old superstition about working the last shift." A formal verdict was returned.
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