Widnes Examiner. — 1898-09-09 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

FITA.LITY AT WIDNES:  INQUEST.  Le,t Fr day actern ocia an inquiry into the circunn. stances attending the death of John Davey, upholsterer, 167, Islington, Liverpool, was held by Mr. S. Brighouse at the Widuee Ac d eat Hospital.—Mr. H ore appeared on bele ill of the relatives of the deceased, and Mr. dimeson represtentei the Great Central Railway Company.— Jan e Devey, wife of the deceased, said he was 49 years of are. Tnere was nothing that would cease him to take his hi ,as he hide comforeabla home and pleaty of business.—WilliamNewnes,l6,Forshaw-st.,Warrington.stated that hi WAS in the employ of he Cheshire Lines Railway. Re was wo:king at Rouge Green stetim. ane the driver lof a coal train was coming dawn in the direction of Liverpool. He told them that a man had been knocked down on the other side of the bridge, Witness went to the place t 3 render first aid, being a member of the ambulance corps. The deceased was lying clear of all lines,about 159 yards on the opposite side of the bridge from the station. W.tness fancied the deceased had been knocked in that p.s.tion.The engine might possibly have caught his ri4ht thigh and knocked him over on the siee. Dece teed was living when witness got there. Hie riels leg was bleeding, and witness eedeavoured to staunch it, obtaining neckties and scarves for bandages. Witness then got a cabin door, and conveyed the deceased to the" Volunteer." He WAS subsequently tak ea to the 'hospital, witness accompanying Senpson, in I reply to the Ceroner, said he had inquired from the drivers of trains, but 'hay did not know anything about I the affair. The last trim that passed over the r oad was ' the Midland Express from Stockport to Liv:rpoel at 1.30, which went at the rate o' BO m les per hour. This engine was carefully examined, but noleing could be found. The driver and fireman were alio closely criestimed, but they said they never saw him —Mr. Bore said the deceased was an abnormdlly broad man, and perhaps if he was on the narrow line be might have been eaueht by an engine.—Miss Paee,a 1311,59 at the hospiree deposed to the decees.d beiag a irnitted into the iastitutiou at ten minutes pest two on Taesd ay afterneon. He died at five minutes past three the sane afternoon. He was conscious until within five minutes of the time or his death, but he made no st itement. His injuries consisted of c =pollee fr melee; to the upper part of the right leg and the left arm. His right leg was reduced to a pulp. there were also injuries ' to his chest, and a sli flit sat p w .nod. the Cor 'leer said Newnes, the last witness, had prepared a report abed t the affair. It stated that the de :tor' asked the nurse if it was a Cisc of suicide, and the deceased said " No, no, no." Wen tee nurse asked the deceased what he was doing on the railway he replied that he was doing something for hicasel : —Miss Page said that the latter part was correct, but regarding tee doctor's question, the deceased did not say it was not a case of suicide in her presente.—Newaes was t lee re• called, and he stated that the doctor ask,d the question, but witness would not say that he asked the nurse.— Replying to Mr. Hors, Miss Page said.the deceased was conscious. Be did not make any pious ejaculations be• fore he died.—P.C. Stubbs stated teat he had made eareful inquiries in the neighbourhood about the accie dent. Be hsard that a man had seen the deceased killed but upon witness calling upon him he denied having seen anything.—The Coroner, reviewing the else, remarked that the only thing that was proved wis that he had evidently been injured by some passing train but ' under wltet circumstances there was not the slightest evidence to show. It was most remarkable he would admit, as the widow said the deceased was in good clement inceS, that he had a happy home, and no trouble or sorrow, either domestic er pecuniary. Toe only evi. deece was that the deceased was killed on the line. They ' must judge for tkeinsclves,as he was only there to direct them on the points of law. The jury returned an open verdict.