I am unable to find any information of the date suggested.
Golborne Colliery Explosion Sunday, 18th March 1979
One hundred years after the King Pit explosion a tragedy occurred at Golborne Colliery.
Once more clouds of dust were the first indication that something serious had happened. Miners nearby also describe hearing two muffled thuds", and sensing a momentary reversal of air" and feeling a popping of the ears."
On the night shift of Saturday 17th/18th March a damaged fan had been found. The ventilation system was subsequently switched off, resulting in a build up of fire damp. This was carefully monitored.
On Sunday 18th March, a team of eleven were working to restore the system. At about 11.15 in the morning there was an explosion. Three men were killed and seven later died in hospital. Of the working party of 11 only one person, the apprentice electrician, survived. The deputy manager of the mine initiated emergency procedures. Men working in other parts of the mine were withdrawn and the Boothstown rescue brigade were summoned
Few Wiganers will forget that week. National news programmes opened their bulletins with progress reports on the injured miners. Tony Benn, the energy secretary, visited Golborne. As did Joe Gormley, the general secretary of the National Union of Mine Workers. Joe had several good reasons for being there. He was born in Wigan and his son was part of the rescue team.
The following is a short extract from the Daily Telegraph from Monday 19th March, 1977:
Three dead, Eight Hurt in Gas Explosion"
"Three miners were killed and eight seriously burned in a methane explosion 600 yards below the surface at Golborne Colliery, near Leigh, Greater Manchester, yesterday. All were electricians or development workers on ventilation maintenance work on a new seam roadway."
Further reading:
http://www.wiganman.co.uk/Content/history/two_explosions.html