Roadside Collision – Colliery Foreman’s Serious Injuries

June 1920

Mexborough Times, June 5, 1920

A Roadside Collision at Conisboro´
Colliery Foreman´s Serious Injuries.

On Wednesday, at the Doncaster County Court, before his honour Judge Acton, an action was brought by Arthur Charles Crookes, a Colliery Foreman, of Conisboro´ against William Arthur Blakelock, a grocer, of the same place, to recover £100, damages in respect to injuries received in a collision which happened on the highway between old Edlington and Conisbrough in May last year.

Mr Atkinson, Sheffield, for the plaintive, said that on May 19 plaintiff was riding on the carrier of a motorcycle being driven by his son, and they were travelling from Edlington to Conisbrough. Some 400 yards before they reached Common Lane they saw the defendant´s grocers trap, and plaintiff´s son sounded his horn. Defendant was seated on the splash board of the trap, and he had as passengers two young ladies, and was also proceeding in the direction of Conisboro´.

The plaintiff’s son continued to sound his hooter, but just as he got level with the defendant, the latter turned into Common Lane and there was a collision, with the result that the plaintiff and his son were thrown off.

The plaintiff was rather seriously hurt, and was taken to the doctors and later to the Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Just before plaintiff son reach the defendants trap, and the trap was turning into Common Lane, he shouted out, “Now then ” and the defendant, whom, they said, had only hold of the rains in a loose way, attempted to gather control, but it was too late. He suggested that the pony, when he reached the road, turned instinctively into the lane

He also suggested that defendant failed to give any signal that he intended to turn into the lane. The plaintiff was an inmate of the Infirmary for 18 weeks, and the average wages were about £5 and £6 a week, and he might add that it had not been for the expense that would have involved the action would have been taken to High Court, as the £100 did not by any means represent the loss he had sustained.

He was permanently disfigured. He had been under two operations, the nasal bone had been knocked right out of place and a hole had been made into the nasal cavity, and although there had been some skin grafting, there would always be a disfigurement. In fact, he would have to undergo further operations. At the time of the accident, plaintiffs son told the defendant he would have to pay for it, and while he was in the Infirmary defendant visited him, and on one occasion told a patient that it would be a great lesson to him not to cross the road without taking every precaution.

Dr Reginald Wilson, who attended the plaintive while he was in the hospital, gave evidence of his injuries.

Plaintiff bore the statement of the solicitor out in evidence. They had got almost level with the car and the defendant turned. His son at once shut of the power and applied the brakes.

John Charles Crookes, the son, also gave evidence. He was going about 12 miles an hour.

Mr Frank Allen, for the defendant, submitted there was no case to answer, but His Honour ruled against him.

Defendant said he had the horse under proper control. About 12 yards before reaching the Lane he looked around, but did not see anything on the road. The next he heard was a shout, and the plaintiff’s son was alongside. He always looked round or put his arm out before turning of into a side road.

Evidence was given by Miss Eva Paddock and Miss Hendry, the two young ladies who were riding in the car.

Mrs Blakelock, the defendants wife, said plaintiff’s son told her he was travelling at a terrific rate, and that he did not blow his hooter.

His Honour found for the plaintive for the full amount.

He dismissed the counterclaim, which was for £4 10s.

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