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Wombwell Man’s Shocking End – Sad Fatality at Houghton Main

February 1919

Mexborough and Swinton Times February 8, 1919

Wombwell Man’s Shocking End.

Sad Fatality at Houghton Main

Monday afternoon Major Arundel (coroner) held an inquest at Barnsley on Herbert Bedford, colliery haulage plane man of Barnsley Road, Wombwell.

On Thursday morning last deceased was injured in the Houghton Main Colliery and death occurred later the same day in the hospital.

At the inquest there were also present Mr. L. Flint (HM Inspector of mines), Mr S. Mellors (manager or the colliery) and Mr T. W. Illsley (representing the Yorkshire Miners’ Association).

Frances Laura Bedford, wife of deceased, gave evidence of identification. She last saw her husband alive on Thursday morning at 4.50 this, when he left home to go to work at Houghton Main Colliery, he then being in good health. He had worked at the same the party years and have made no complaints. After he was injured she saw him at the hospital, but he was not able to communicate anything to her.

Arthur Martin plane walker, 114 Stoneyford Road, Wombwell, said that about nine o’clock on Thursday morning he saw deceased engaged in pulley-greasing. About half an hour later he saw Bedord about 600 yards further along the plane. He had been hurt and appear to be in great pain. Assistance was obtained and deceased was taken out of the pit. Deceased was injured by an empty corf which broke away from the run and came down the plane

Witness did, not here the corf come down, but a cloud of dust came along and the rope was stopped. Deceased was then found lying in the ground between the full road and the empty road. There were five or six sets of empties on the plane one tub in the first set, got off the road. The jerking of the rope caused a pin to be uncoupled and the coil to run down the plane.

In answer to the Inspector, witness said that the tub ran about 300 yards to Bedford. Higher up there was a smash, several tubs being together.

John Roberts, plane-man, of 40, Station Road Wombwell, said that he lashed on the rope eight empty rooms prior to the accident they were properly lashed and he could not account for one of the tubs breaking away.

Doctor Joan K. Rose, house surgeon at the Barnsley Beckett Hospital said deceased was admitted at 11.35 Thursday morning. He was suffering from severe injury, though semiconscious, he did not say how he came by his injuries stop he died later the same day, and on the following day with this made a post-mortem examination.

Externally there were bruises on the back and therefore harm and a punctured wound on the buttock. Witness the detailed deceased injuries and said that death was due to internal haemorrhage and shock following severe abdominal injury.

The Coroner said there was no suggestion of any blame on the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”

By Mr Bedford’s death a familiar figure is removed from local sporting circles. He was known throughout Yorkshire as a cross-country runner and has been identified successively with the Sheffield United, Swinton and Wombwell Harriers. He was one of the principal founders of the latter club, which he captain for three season. His heart was in the sport, and he would many times turnout when less hardy runners feared to face the elements. He would tackle anything from half a mile to 13 miles, and has travelled throughout the northern countries to engage in the sport. He holds innumerable trophies and his most notable successes were at Intake, Sheffield, Hull, Golcar and Stainboro’.

Deceased’s brothers Mr Bernard and Mr Isaac Bedford are also well-known cross-country runners.

Deceased was well known and highly esteemed in Wombwell, and his untimely death is deeply lamented.

He was Vice grand Archer of the “Pride of Wombwell” Lodge of the Sheffield Equalised Order of Druids.