Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 13 July 1934
Crash Into Bus
Conisboro’ Motor-Cyclist Killed
Bus Driver Cleared
The death of a Conisboro’ man as a result of a motor accident at Hut Green, Whitley Bridge, on June 18th, was the subject of an inquiry by the Pontefract Coroner (Mr. Will Bentley) at Pontefract, on Friday. The hearing had been formally opened and adjourned on June 20th.
The dead man was Ernest Bramhall (40), 77, Willow Dene, Low Road, Conisborough, whose relatives were represented by Mr. A. Loy (Doncaster). Mr. A. Butler (Castleford) attended on behalf of the ’bus owner and the driver; and police Inspector Hugill (Selby) was present.
William Benjamin Blakeley, of Eggborough, stated that he was in his garden when he saw a bus proceeding along the road from Hensall towards Knottingley. The driver sounded his horn when the ’bus was near to the cross roads at Hut Green, and almost immediately afterwards witness heard a crash. Witness did not see any other vehicle on the road, and the ’bus was going very steadily as it approached the crossing—at ten or fifteen miles an hour. The collision occurred on the Whitley Bridge side of the crossing, and both the motor-cycle and the rider were thrown into the dyke. The ’bus pulled up about 30 or 40 yards on the Knottingley side of the cross roads, but witness believed the driver moved up there to clear the road. Witness suggested that the accident happened because the motor-cyclist was on his wrong side.
In answer to Mr. Butler witness said the ’bus was being driven carefully and properly.
He did not hear the motor-cyclist give any warning and he was not aware that there was a motor-cyclist about until after the crash. The motor-cycle appeared to have struck the front bumper of the ’bus somewhere about the centre.
Dr. J. R. Robson, resident medical officer at the Pontefract General Infirmary, said deceased was admitted at 9-30 p.m., conscious but suffering very much from shock, his left leg having been almost completely severed just above the ankle. He died at 4-15 the next morning.
Edward Albert Wilkirson, poultry keeper, Rose Dene, Hut Green, said he was on a roadside seat on the Knottingley side of the crossing when the accident occurred. He saw the ’bus approaching from Hensall and the motor-cycle from Selby. The ’bus driver gave warning of approach but not the motor-cyclist. The ’bus was travelling slowly but the motor-cycle was “coming pretty fast.” Witness heard a bump as the two vehicles collided in the middle of the crossing, but he did not see the impact owing to a telegraph pole obstructing his view. The motor-cyclist fell into the dyke and was shouting, “He’s take my leg off, he’s taken my leg off.” His machine also went into the dyke, and the ’bus continued over the cross roads and then stopped.
Answering Mr. Butler, witness said he thought the motor-cyclist was trying to pass in front of the ’bus when the collision occurred.
Mr. Butler: Did the ’bus driver do anything he ought not to have done?—No.
Witness could not say whether the motor-cyclist was travelling in a crouched position.
In answer to the foreman witness said the A.A. scout was not on duty at the time.
Evidence was given by P.C. Magson (Hensall) to the effect that when he arrived at 9-15 deceased was being removed in the ambulance to Pontefract and the ’bus was stationary 45 yards on the Knottingley side of the crossing. The motor-cycle was in the gutter on the Doncaster side, 60 feet from the centre of the cross roads, where marks showed the impact to have taken place. The width of the Goole-Pontefract road was 27 feet and of the other road 24 feet. The ’bus was owned by John James Longstaff, Foundry Street, Ravensthorpe, and was driven by William Alpin (29), 4, Cross Foundry Street, Ravensthorpe. The motor-cycle was a new model and was in top gear. It was badly damaged on its nearside. The road had been tar-sprayed recently. There were no brake marks by either vehicle. The brakes of the ’bus were in good order. It would be easier for the motor-cyclist to see the ’bus than for the ’bus driver to see the motor-cycle.
William G. Boothman, builder, Weeland House, Hensall, said that the motor-cyclist sounded his horn but he was travelling at a “terrific speed.” There was then a crash and the motor-cyclist cried out “Mother! mother!” Witness had not previously seen the ’bus or heard its horn.
In reply to Mr. Butler, witness agreed that he said to the motor-cyclist, “Tha’s made a beggar of it, lad. It was yer own fault.”
The foreman said the jury were satisfied without hearing the ’bus driver, and, summing up, the Coroner said it seemed that the jury could not possibly arrive at any conclusion which would involve the driver in any verdict of criminal negligence.
The jury returned a verdict of “Misadventure.”