Railway Accident (1920)

Post date: Feb 05, 2018 4:35:10 PM

Extract from Sevenoaks Chonicle & Kentish advertiser of 26 November 1920

WATERINGBURY.

PLATELAYER KILLED.

Mr. A.H. Neve held inquest at the Kent Arms, Nettlestead. on Tuesday. respecting the death of Harry Cronk (47) foreman platelayer on the S.E. and C.R.living at 3, Springdale Cottages, Nettlestead. Evidence of identification was given by Franc's Cronk (brother); and Frederick John Head, platelayer, described the accident.

Deceased was a ganger, and they were working together at Wateringbury,and the up train was due at 9.24 a. m., but at 10 o'clock it had not passed. They were looking out for it, and also for the 9.56 down train. Witness shouted to deceased to "look out" and deceased, apparently thinking witness meant the down train, stepped out on to the up road and was caught by the by the buffer of the beam of the up train. He was knocked down, and picked dead.

Harry Chamber, Strood, the engine driver, said he saw the platelayers at work on the line and whistled, but as he got closer lost sight of the men.

Henry Ernest Roberts, Rochester, district engineer,said the men were working on the up line. The regulations provided for the men to shout “look out" when in danger.

Dr. Gerald Saunders said he saw deceased at the Railway Station. He was then dead. He had sustained a compound fracture of the leg, a scalp wound over the right eye, and dislocation the right shoulder. Death would have been instantaneous and was due to the fracture of the shoulder and disclocation of the neck The man had evidently had severe blow on the the head.

The Coroner returned a verdict of “Accidental Death."