Denaby Child’s Death – Knocked Down by Trackless Car

March 1926

Mexborough and Swinton Times March 5, 1926

Denaby Child’s Death.
Knocked Down by Trackless Car.

At the Fullerton hospital, Denaby, on Wednesday, Mr Frank Allen held an inquest on William Henry Jeffcock (5), of 26, Balby Street, Denaby Main, who was knocked down by a trackless trolley car on Monday, and died the same day in the Fullerton hospital.

Thomas Jeffcock, the father, gave evidence of identification, and said his child went to the Station Road school, Conisborough. The boy had good eyesight and hearing.

James Mellors, collier, of 31, Maltby Street, Denaby Main, said he saw the accident at about 1.15. The witness was on the pavement near the Territorial Club, when he saw the child running across the road and a trackless car coming from Denaby. The car was turning across the road towards the railway to avoid the child. The left mudguard struck the child and knocked him down and the back wheel passed over him. The car was going very steadily and witnesses attention was drawn to it by hearing the bell and the shouting. In the opinion of witness, the driver did its best to avoid the accident.

George Guest, miner, 25, Balby Street, Denaby Main, said he was on the railway side of the road at the time of the accident. The car had passed the witness who saw the boy attempt to cross road from the Territorial Club. An older child got clear but the deceased was caught by the left mudguard and was run over by the back wheel. The child was picked up, bandaged and taken to the hospital, the car was travelling very slowly and was almost at a standstill when the accident happened. The driver did his best to avoid the child, and sounded his bell four or five times.

Sister Stead said the child was brought into the hospital at about 1:30 p.m. by Dr Forde suffering from a fractured pelvis, fracture of the bones of the right foot and badly lacerated wounds on the right leg and other serious injuries. The child died the same afternoon about 4.30 p.m. from shock.

A verdict of “accidental death” was returned by the jury. The driver was exonerated from blame.