Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 06 June 1930

Ten Years Later.

Wombwell Man’s Death from Old Injury.

A Restive Pony.

A connection between the death of a young worker and an accident at Houghton Main Colliery ten years ago was established at the inquest at Wombwell on Saturday relating to Walter Howarth (15) rope worker, of Hope Street, Low Valley.

The inquest was conducted by Mr. C. ‘ Haworth, and there were present Mr. J. H. Hesketh, manager at Houghton Main; Mr. T. W. Illsley, representing the Houghton Main branch of the Y.M.A., and Dr. S. O. Hatherley, for the Yorkshire Coal Owners’ Indemnity Societey.

Ernest Howarth 13, Hope Street , Low Valley, said up to July of last year his son was a ropeman at Houghton Main. In November. 1920, his son had an accident at the colliery. He was taking a pony off the tubs, when the pony spun round and the limbers struck him in the body. He was attended by Dr. Pickup at home, and subsequently taken to the Sheffield Royal Hospital and operated upon. Ultimately be was discharged and was given light work. He was last employed in July last year, but had been off work a period of nine months. His death occurred at home on Thursday, May 29th. During his illness he had been attended by Dr. Dickinson.

Dr. W. R. Dickinson said he first attended the deceased in 1925 or 1926, prior to which he was a patient of Dr. Pickup. The condition then revealed tuberculosis, and he had a record of an operation for tuberculosis in the lower part of his body. He improved and, so far as witness knew, returned to work, but later complained of pain and other symptoms. On witness’s advice he again entered hospital at Sheffield, but was discharged. Having performed a post-mortem examination, witness found old tubercular adhesions in the lungs, but there was no active tuberculosis. The kidneys were diseased. The cause of death was uraemia.

The Coroner: Can you connect it witb the accident?

Witness: The boy was injured and was operated upon within three months. One presumes that the accident was the origin of the complaint.

The father (recalled) said that up to the time of the accident the deceased was perfectly healthy. So far as witness was aware there was no tuberculoris in the family.

Mr. T. W. Illsley said the specialist who performed the operation after the accident gave a certificate to show that there was a connection between the accident and the disease that developed, and arising from that operation compensation was paid.

Dr. Dickinson said that so far as he the point was not disputed.

Without retiring, the jury accepted the doctor’s that the disease from the accident.

A verdict of “Death by misadventure” was returned.