South Yorkshire Times, December 4th 1943
Road Accident
Coroner’s Advice to Pedestrians
Recording a verdict of “Accidental Death” at an inquest at the Fullerton Hospital, Denaby, on Monday, on Thomas Whitter (70). retired glass worker, of 7, William Street, Denaby, who was fatally injured when knocked down by a car on Nov. 24th. the District Coroner (Mr. | W. H. Carlile) said it was the duty of pedestrians to use reasonable care in crossing the roads in the black-out.
There appeared to be no reason why Whitter should be in the road. He thought the car driver was using reasonable care, and if only pedestrians realised the difficulties of drivers in the black- out he was sure they would see to it that they kept on the footpath and did not attempt to cross roads when traffic was approaching.
John Lawrence Smith of 7, William Street, said Whitter had lodged with witness for 15 years. Whitter went out at about 6-15 p.m., for a shave. Witness told him not to go out, as it was not fit but Whitter said he was capable of looking after himself. When witness saw him later in the Fullerton Hospital, he was conscious, and told witness that he had been knocked down. Whitter had a shortened right leg. He walked with a stick. His sight and hearing were good.
P.c. T. Boothroyd said he went to the scene of the accident about 6-25 p.m. The car’s off-side wheels were four feet from the white line and it was facing Conisbrough at the junction with George Street and Doncaster Road. The road was 30 feet wide. The only damage to the car was that the near-side front headlamp was bent back. It was fairly dark. The car’s brakes were in good order and its masked headlights threw a beam about 12 yards.
Previous Fall
Dr. T. Clarke said Whitter had fractures of the left humerus and right femur. On the following day he was seen by Col. Connell, and the fractures were adjusted while he was under a general anaesthetic, from which he recovered. He died on Friday through shock, due to multiple injuries. Whitter was suffering from an advanced arterior sclerosis, which would affect his hearing and eyesight. In 1936 he sustained a fracture of the left knee at work and recovered from that and about two months ago fell in the black-out. as a result of which witness ordered him to bed. where he stayed three days. He was a man who was much bolder than his years permitted him to be.
The driver of the car Richard Dunn, Food Executive Officer for the Conisbrough area, of The Elms, Low Road, Conisbrough. said he was driving at no more than 14 miles per hour along Doncaster Road, Denaby, his car being in second gear. As he approached George Street, Whitter came in a crouching position before his head-lamp. He put his brakes on and stopped almost immediately but could not avoid hitting him with the head lamp.
Mr. R. S. Pennington represented the driver.