The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-11-22 00:00:00

FAML RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT
CHURCHILL.

A shocking, and fatal railway accident occurred
on Friday night to Mr. William Pitt, farm
bdliff to Mr. Phillip Williams, of Harbro' Hall,
Churchill. The unfortunate deceased has at-
tended Stourbridge market as usual, and left Stour-
bridge by the 8.40 p.m., train for Churchill
He wus seen there by the signalman who r.dvised
him not to go up the lines, which it appears is a
n ,ar cut to his home, but a dense fog prevailed at
the time and the express train to Stourbridge
struck him, and severed one of his legs and one arm
from the bcdy. Found next morning shockingly
mutilated, but alive. He was at once removed to
Kidderminster but died on the way. A large sum of
money was found on the doceased and also a cheque.
Mr. It. Docker, Coroner, held an inquest at the
Railway Bell Inn, Kidderminster, on Tuesday after-
noon, on the body. Mr. Morton (of the firm of Messrs.
Ivens and Morton, solicitors) watched the procaed-
ings on behalf of the family of the deceased.
Thomas Baynton, a porter at Churchill railway
station, stated that he found the deceased lying on
the rails near to the down platform at 6 30 a.m. on
Saturday. He was breathing, but unconscious. He
was conveyed to Kiddet m nster shortly afterwards,
but expired before the arrival of the conveyance at
Kidderminster. Deceaied was a bailiff in the
employ of Mr. P. Williams, of Harborough Hall,
Churchill.
Alexander Samuel Allard, signalman at Churchill
Station s'ated that the deceased arrived at Churchill
Station on Friday evening by the 8.40. train from
Birmingham. He left a parcel with witness, and
went dowa into the village. Deceased came baok
for his parcel shortly after ten o'clock. Witness gave
it to him, and saw deceased go over a level crossing
towards the roal, in the direction of his own home.
He did not see him again until he was found lying
on the rails. Deceased went over the crossing.
about a quarter-past ten, and the next train that
would pass through the station after that would be
the 10 40 down express, which would go over the
spot where deceased was found lying. Deceased
appeared to be perfectly sober when he saw him. He
thought deceased must have changed his mind after
he went over the level crossing, and attempted to go
down the line to another crossing, which would lead
to a road that was much nearer to his home. The
night was dark and foggy.
inspector Ebury proved that he found £l3 lOs 61
in the clothes worn by the deceased, and alsr) a
cheque on the Birmingham and Midland Bank for
.269 16s. 61

Dr Jotham described the injuries to deceased, and
skid they were such as would have been caused from
a collision with a train. There was a compound
fracture of the right thigh, the bone of whie't was
crushed and protruding, and the lower part of the
foot on the same leg was badly crushed. The left
am was torn from the body and crushed, and there
was a scalp wound: The immediate cause of death
was cold, exhaustion, and loss of blood.

Mr. It rton said his theory was that the cleansed
must have returned to go home by the shorter route
spoken of by the witness Allard, and that he went
along the down platform, but in con4equence of the
darkness slipped and full to the rails, and was so
injured that he was unable to rise.
The Coroner said he quite agreed with Mr.
Morton's theory, and that would ao3ount for the
diffrence between the time Allard saw the deceased
and when the down train passed.
A verdidof " Accidental death" was returned.