Tributes paid at funeral mass for miner Gerry Gibson, 49, who died at Kellingley Colliery

So many wanted to pay their respects to Gerry Gibson, the Sherburn-in-Elmet miner killed by a roof collapse at Kellingley colliery, the church was packed with 500 mourners and the side aisles were filled with standing members of the congregation. Many had travelled from his native Scotland to be there. NUM banners from Kellingley, Stilllingfleet where he also worked, and Scotland were displayed behind the altar.

His coffin bore a blue and white flower arrangement forming the Scottish flag as well as a miner’s helmet and a fluorescent jacket, and a large white SIR flower arrangement was carried into church in tribute to one of his nicknames, “Sir Gerry”.

Father Michael McCarthy led the hour and a half long service at which the congregation heard of Mr Gibson’s deep love for his family and in particular his wife Brenda and their two sons Sean and Andrew, his love of music - he was a self-taught musician - and his love of sport including snooker. Born in Shotts, North Lanarkshire, Mr Gibson started his mining career in Polkemmet Pit in Whitburn until it became unworkable after the miners’ strike in 1984. He then moved to Bilston Glen Colliery near Edinburgh before moving to North Yorkshire in 1989. He transferred to Kellingley Colliery in 2004 when Stillingfleet closed and helped integrate the two workforces.

He died on September 27, a few weeks before he was due to celebrate his 50th birthday, and less than a month before his 25th wedding anniversary. His wife and eldest son Sean led the mourners who followed his coffin into church.

• During the mass, one of the mourners had a medical emergency. A member of the congregation went out to call 999 and Selby Abbey staff also assisted. Paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service helped the mourner walk out of the church and after medical clearance, he was able to return before the end of the service. The mass was not disrupted.