Fatal Accident at Conisborough – Railwayman’s Crowbar

November 1896

Mexborough and Swindon Times, November 6, 1896

Fatal Accident at Conisborough

Yesterday, at the Station Hotel, Conisborough, Mr F.E.Nicholson, coroner, Doncaster, held an enquiry into the death of Joseph Piper, aged 61, a plate layer in the employment of the M.S.and L.Railway Company.

Mr George Butcher was elected foreman of the jury which was composed of the following:

George Henry Watson, George Kilner, Henry Wilson, William Carter, George Taylor, John Maxfield, George Laughton, John Butterfield, Fred Butcher, John Jones, James Billingham and Arthur Johnson.

Harry Piper, Station Villa, Conisborough, said the deceased was his father, and was 61 years of age. He was a plate layer on the M.S.and L. Company. He had worked for the company about 31 years. The last time he saw him alive was on Tuesday night about 7.30. He did not see him before his death. He heard on Wednesday morning, about 10.15, that his father had been killed. Deceased was not deaf.

William Farrar said he lived in Wellgate, Conisborough, and was a platelayer on the M.S.and L. He was with the deceased on Wednesday morning at 10.15. They were walking along the line outside the 4 foot. They were going to at Conisborough, and they met a goods train coming from Doncaster. Deceased was carrying a crowbar on his left shoulder, which was next to the train. When the engine and three wagons had are gone past deceased turn to the right to look towards the engine. When he turned round a wagon struck the crowbar, which spun deceased round, and the crowbar hit witness on the shoulder and knocked him over the telegraph wires onto the ground.

Deceased dropped with his head on the rail between two wagons. He got up and pulled deceased away after two or three wagons had gone over. He had no other injuries but to his head. He had finished one job and was going to another.

A juryman: do you think the tallow box struck him?

Witness: No sir; I saw the wheel go over his head.

Coroner: What are crowbar use for?

Witness: Lifting sleepers.

Coroner: Was the train going very fast?

Witness: No, sir; it was going at what we call caution.

Coroner: It couldn’t have been if you pulled him out after only two or three wagons had passed over him. At what speed do you think he was travelling?

Witness: About six or 7 miles an hour.

Coroner: I think that’s about the general speed on the M.S.L. isn’t it? (Laughter)

The coroner said he did not think any more evidence was required. He thought it was purely accidental.

A verdict of “accidental death” was returned. Deceased was much respected in Conisborough, and much sympathy is expressed and all sides, with the bereaved family.