DEATH OF BENJAMIN WALTERS 1912

(Ilkeston Pioneer 31st May 1912 p5)

MINER FALLS OVER RAILWAY BRIDGE

   A miner named Benjamin Walters, aged 61, living at Stanley Common, was on Friday admitted to the Infirmary at Derby, suffering from severe injury to the spine. He was found on the railway line at a point midway between Mapperley and his home, and it was stated that he fell over the bridge at a distance of 30 feet.

   Death took place on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon the Coroner opened an inquest on the body. After formal evidence had been taken the hearing was adjourned until yesterday (Thursday).

(Ilkeston Pioneer 7th June 1912 p8)

MINER'S TRAGIC END

FALLS OVER A RAILWAY BRIDGE AT MAPPERLEY

   The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Benjamin Walters, aged 61, a miner, of Stanley Common, who was found lying injured on the Midland Railway near the Mapperley Colliery on May 24th, and died in the Derby Infirmary the same day, was resumed at the Town Hall, Derby, on Thursday last week by Mr J Close, the borough Coroner.

   Mrs Lucy Walters, the widow, explained that her husband had complained of giddiness lately, and Dr Dobson, whom he consulted, said he was run down. He gave him some medicine, and he was then much better. He had never threatened suicide. On Friday, May 24th, he left work between five and six in the morning about as well as usual. She later saw him at the Infirmary, where, on being asked how it occurred, he replied "I don't know. I can't remember. Only I got hurt." He did not remember anything after passing the late under-manager's house a quarter of a mile from the bridge. Witness added that the bridge under which deceased was found was close to his work, and on coming out of work he often sat on the bridge and had a smoke and a rest.

   Geo. Wm. Massey, of 54, Brook Hill, Stapleford, an engine-driver in the employ of the M. R. Company, said he was taking an engine down from Mapperley Colliery to Mapperley Junction, when he saw something on the line on approaching the bridge (no. 6) near the colliery. This was found to be the deceased, who was eventually taken to the Derby Infirmary.

   Dr A. A. Smalley, of the Infirmary staff, said Walters was admitted on the 24th inst., and died the same day. Witness held a post-mortem examination, which showed that the cause of death was internal hemorrhage and shock following injuries. The doctor detailed the injuries, and said that a fall of 30ft. on to a railway line would be quite sufficient to cause them.

   George Daft, of Long Eaton, the fireman on Massey's engine, spoke to going to the deceased on his presence being detected. He was very dazed, and in reply to questions as to why he was on the bridge, said "I don't know. I was dizzy. I don't remember." Witness spoke to examining the line, which showed a boot mark where deceased had landed. He came to the conclusion that deceased had fallen off the bridge.

   P. C. Roome, of the County Constabulary, also gave evidence, and speaking of his examination, said that on the outside side of the bridge there were signs that deceased, in falling down, grabbed the coping stone to prevent his falling. He thought there was nothing wilful in deceased's fall.

   The Coroner, in summing up, expressed the opinion that deceased fell from the bridge, and had no wilful intention. There was, he said, no evidence pointing towards suicide.

   The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death through falling whilst resting on the bridge."

(Derby Mercury 7th June 1912 p2)

STANLEY COMMON MINER'S DEATH  

   The resumed enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Benjamin Walters (61), collier, of Oakwell Place, Stanley Common, who was found injured on the Midland Railway line, near the Cresswell Colliery, on May 25th, was resumed by Mr J Close (Derby Borough Coroner) at the Guildhall on Thursday.

   Lucy Walters, the widow, said her husband left home between five and six o'clock on the morning in question to go to work. A fortnight previously he had complained of being unwell, and of being dizzy at times. On May 23rd he refused to take any more medicine he had been getting from the doctor, saying he was better. He had never threatened suicide. She saw him after the accident, and asked him if he fell from a bridge, but he said he did not remember anything after passing the late under-manager's house, a quarter of a mile from the bridge where he was found. Deceased would have to cross over the bridge on his way from the colliery. He had often sat on the bridge to have a pipe of tobacco. The bridge crossed a single line of the Midland Railway.

   Evidence as to finding a man in the four-foot way was given by Thomas Massey, a Midland Railway driver.

   George Daff, a fireman on the engine, said deceased indicated that he had fallen from the bridge. Witness, on examination, found the mark of a boot on a sleeper, and of a heel on the slinkers at the side as though the man had fallen feet foremost. An examination showed that someone in colliery clothes had climbed on to the wall of the bridge and sat there.

   Police Constable Roome, of Mapperley, said deceased told him he fell off the bridge, but could not say what he was doing there. He was dizzy at the time he fell. There were marks of feet at the top of the bridge, and finger-marks on a ledge as though someone had tried to grasp it when falling. Deceased had fallen 25ft 4in.

   Dr Smalley, surgeon at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, described the injuries. Death was due to internal hemorrhage and shock following injuries received. Death took place on the day of the accident.

   The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from internal hemorrhage and shock from injuries which were caused by accidentally falling from the bridge on to the line below.

(Webmaster's note: Despite the jury's verdict, the vicar of Stanley wrote "suicide" against Benjamin Walters' burial record)

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