Death after horse bolts (1869).

Post date: Mar 19, 2013 12:16:8 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph 21st August 1869.

WATERINGBURY. MELANCHOLY FATAL ACCIDENT.

On Tuesday afternoon last, an inquest took place at the Harrow Inn, Wateringbury, touching the death of Mrs Eliza Cole, aged 31, wife of Mr William Cole, farm bailiff to Messrs W. A. and J. Fremlin. The circumstances of the case are of a very painful character. Last Sunday evening as Mr Cole was returning home in a van with his wife and four children, and a Mr Lane, the horse ran away. Mr Lane jumped out and fractured his thigh. Shortly after the van upset and the whole of the occupants were thrown to the ground, but marvellous to relate, all escaped with very slight injuries, except the unfortunate woman, whose skull was fractured, causing almost instantaneous death.

The jury having been sworn, of whom Mr Luther was chosen foreman, the coroner (J. N. Dudlow, Esq.), stated that he had visited Mr Lane, who was lying in bed, suffering from a broken thigh, and had taken down his statement, which was as follows :—I am farm bailiff to Mr White. As I was returning home I fell in with Mr Cole, at Ryarsh, who had his wife and four children with him in the van. When we got as far as Broom Croft the horse shied, and ran away. I jumped out and broke my thigh, Mr Cole had no whip, and no one struck the horse. We were all perfectly sober.

Mr Cole, who was much affected, after being sworn, deposed—The deceased was my wife, and her age is 31 years. On Sunday last, I left home at two o'clock in the afternoon, in alight van drawn by one horse, belonging to my masters, and which were lent me. I took my wife and four children with me, and spent the day with my friends at Ryarsh. We started for home about eight in the evening, and took up Mr Lane. The horse went quietly till we got to Broom Croft gate, when the horse jumped across the road either opposite the gate or just after we passed it. I don't know what frightened the horse, and he did not offer to shy before that day. He started off, the children screamed, and he went faster. I saw his head was underneath his chest and held the reins thigh[sic, tight?], but he overpowered me, and the van went over the corner. Myself, wife and children, were all thrown out, and we all fell clear of the van. My wife had a child in her arms, and could not help herself. She was never sensible after she fell. When I picked her up I thought she was not very badly hurt. Never carry a whip, and the horse was not struck with anything. I have not the least idea what frightened the horse.

Mr James (a juror)—He has done the same thing before. Witness—The horse had his head down, and I could not get it up. I had a bridle bit and no curb. My master has had the horse for years, and he has always been a " touchy" one and guilty of running away. He has run away with me and my master.

Dr. J. W. Fry deposed—I was called to the deceased soon after nine o'clock on Sunday evening last, and found her lying on the sofa in her room. She was suffeRing from concussion of the brain, and as I imagined, fracture of the base of the skull, I was told she had been thrown from a cart, and the injuries I found upon her were such as would be produced by such an accident. I had her carried upstairs, and did all I could for her, but she died soon after, during my absence.

The Coroner said the jury would be satisfied it was purely an accident, and no one did not seem to know what frightened the horse. He thought it was an act of great imprudence of Mr Cole taking his wife and children with a horse which had been in the habit of running away. A verdict of "Accidental" death was returned. Mr Cole was called into the room to hear the decision, and the Coroner told him it was an incautious act on his part to trust his wife and children with such a dangerous animal.