Mexborough and Swinton Times September 20, 1929
Denaby Girl Killed
Road Perils for Children.
Teachers’ Help Asked
Am inquiry was held at Fullerton Hospital, Denaby, on Friday into the death of Miltades Sarah Knowles (14), 36, Edlington St., Denaby, which occurred in the institution five minutes after her admission on Tuesday, September 10th, with injuries received from a motor car. Mr. W. H. Carlile conducted the enquiry, and Mr. W. Lindsay Crawford represented the driver of the car.
Edwin Knowles (father) gave evidence of identification. On Tuesday, about 2-45 p.m., he had occasion to send the girl for some writing-paper from Gibson’s shop in Doncaster Road. She had to cross the road to get to the shop. He saw nothing of the accident. Her hearing and sight were good.
Margaret Chappell (married), 13, George Street, Denaby Main, said that she witnessed the accident. She was standing at the junction of George Street and Doncaster Road when she saw a trackless car approach from Mexborough. She had previously noticed the girl, who was standing on the pavement, waiting for the trackless car to pass. “As soon as it passed, she made a dash and straight into the motor car which was coming in the opposite direction.” She was knocked down, the nearside head lamps striking the girl on the head.
In answer to the Coroner, witness said neither herself nor the girl could have seen the motor car previously. She had heard a hooter sounded continuously and while the trackless car was passing heard the screeching of brakes. She estimated that the car travelled 20 yards before pulling up after the accident. The driver of the car was well on his own side. She did not think the driver saw the girl until she was immediately in front, and she thought that he could not avoid the accident. He appeared to swerve to avoid the girl.
Henry Chappell (glassworks labourer), husband of the last witness, gave similar evidence, adding that the accident could not have been avoided. He saw the car approaching and estimated its speed at 10 m.p.h., and that it travelled about 12 yards after the accident.
Reuben Guest (haulage hand), 2„ George Street, Denaby Main, another eye-witness, corroborated. He estimated the driver’s speed at 8 m.p.h., and that he pulled up in a car length.
Wm. Robert Platte, commercial traveller, 5, Oxtholme Road, Doncaster, driver of the car, said he left Doncaster on Tuesday about 2 p.m. He had been keeping a speed of about 25 m.p.h. most of the way. When the accident happened he was travelling at 12 m.p.h. He saw a trackless car starting off in Doncaster Road, Denaby. It was well on its proper side while he was only 2 or 3 feet from the pavement on this driving side. He first saw the girl when she was immediately in front of his car. She was running fast and he pulled into the side of the trackless car in an endeavour to avoid her and applied his brakes, but she was knocked down by the near lamp. He had been driving six years and had had no previous accident. He brought the child to the Fullerton Hospital in the car.
Sister Steel, matron of Fullerton Hospital, said she saw the girl when admitted at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The girl died five minutes later, death being due to a severe fracture of the skull. There were also abrasions and bruises on the arms and hands.
P.c. Archer gave evidence of finding the girl on the road immediately after the accident. She was bleeding profusely from the left ear. He attended to her and then took her to the Fullerton Hospital. The road at the scene of the accident was 35 feet wide. Platt’s near side wheel was 5ft. 3ins. from the curb. Twenty-five feet from where the girl was knocked down, Platt first applied his brakes, and after the accident, Platts had skidded another 40 feet.
The Coroner said it was exceedingly difficult for a driver to avoid anyone rushing blindly into his way. From the evidence he thought Platts had done everything to avoid the child. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” exonerated the driver and asked that the school teachers in the district be requested to instruct children frequently in the taking of precautions when crossing main roads.
The Coroner said he thought such instructions were already given but he would forward their request to the West Riding Education Committee.