South Yorkshire Times, May 1958
Conisbrough Boy Injured in Cutting Fall
Alan Vernon (15) a Conisbrough schoolboy who fell 50 feet down a railway cutting near Butterbusk, on Sunday and his friend George Grocock with whom Alana was bird-nesting have decided to give up the pastime. Their joint collection of about 40 birds’ eggs is to be given away or exchanged.
Alan, son of Mr and Mrs. W. Vernon of Scott Avenue, Conisbrough, went with George also of Scott Avenue, on Sunday.
Alan’s fall was broken by a small tree about ten feet from the bottom of the cutting. He was trying to reach a jackdaw’s nest.
George climbed down the cutting to reach Alan and called other boys who ‘phoned for an ambulance. George ran more than two miles to tell Alan’s parents of the accident.
Mr. Vernon told a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter that Alan was in Doncaster Royal Infirmary and was “improving.” He said that Alan had injured his spine and broken a finger.
Mr Vernon said Alan had told him in hospital that he had decided to give up bird nesting and did not want his collection. He said George agreed.