Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 12 June 1943
Fall from Lorry
Causes Conisbrough Man’s Death
A verdict of “Accidental Death” was recorded at an inquest at Fullerton Hospital, Denaby, on Walter Nicholson Fothergill (55), of 141, Doncaster Road, Conisbrough, labourer at Messrs. Braim and Cooper’s, Ltd., fat works, Conisbrough, who was fatally injured when he fell from a lorry belonging to the firm on May 28th.
The man’s brother, Thomas Fothergill, of 26, Doncaster Road, Conisbrough, said he had never known his brother to be ill all his life.
Blanche Williams, of 14, Old Hill, Conisbrough, said she was cleaning bedroom windows at home on Friday, May 28th, when she saw a lorry going up New Hill. The lorry was nearly at a standstill and Fothergill was leaning on boxes it was carrying and was facing towards the front. The lorry’s tailboard was up. The gears were changed just before it turned into High Street and the boxes began to fall from it. She thought Fothergill had reached up to save the boxes and then overbalanced over the back. The boxes came off when the lorry changed gear but the vehicle continued on its journey. Fothergill never moved after he fell out. The accident happened on the bend where there was an empty shop.
In reply to Inspector Waugh, witness said she considered the lorry was being driven properly.
Gunner Allan Laurie said he was in the Eagle and Child Inn yard when he saw the boxes fall and later noticed Fothergill lying with his feet towards the kerb on the right-hand side of the road. Fothergill was semi-conscious. The driver did not hear them shout. He thought the lorry driver was taking every care. Witness helped to bandage Fothergill’s head, and he came to in about five minutes. Fothergill wanted to get up and said he was all right. He was taken away in the ambulance.
Dr. D. T. Clark, of Denaby, said Fothergill was admitted to the hospital shortly after 11 a.m., and had a fractured base of the skull. He was restless and died on June 1st about 3 a.m., from a fractured base of the skull and laceration of the brain.
The driver, Ronald Joseph Clewer, of Montagu Cottage, Wellgate, Conisbrough, said he was carrying a load of margarine in boxes to Conisbrough station, and Fothergill had stacked the load and was going with witness to help unload. Fothergill climbed into the back of the lorry, whose tailboard was up. There was plenty of room for Fothergill to sit down on the floor of the wagon, but witness did not know whether he stood up or sat down. He had several times told the men to get in the cab of the lorry.
PREFERRED BACK OF LORRY
In reply to a question by the Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile), witness said he did not know why the men did not get in the cab unless it was because there was more fresh air outside.
Witness said the load was not fastened. He changed into second gear on approaching New Hill, and when he got within two or three feet of the corner had to get into first gear. The gear may have grabbed with being on the hill but he did not hear any boxes fall off. He did not know any reason why they should fall off unless Fothergill made a grab to save himself. He stopped when he got to the goods yard and knew nothing about the accident until one of the firm’s directors told him. He was not doing more than two miles an hour at the corner.
In reply to the Coroner, witness said the accident had taught him to carry the men in the cab and that they should not stand in the back of the lorry.
Inspector Waugh: “You say you told Fothergill several times to sit in the cab. Did you tell him on this occasion?” — “No.”
In reply to Mr. J. G. Chambers (representing the firm), witness said there were 12lb. boxes among bigger ones. Fothergill may have grabbed at the smaller boxes and loosened the load.
Mr. Chambers, expressing sympathy with the man’s relatives, said Fothergill had worked for the firm about 30 years and they were very much upset about the accident.