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William Gibson
| Age: | |
| Died: | 9th Apr 1857 |
| Accident: | 9th Apr 1857 |
| Born: | |
| Colliery: | South Brancepeth |
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| Occupation: | |
| Notes: | caught by rope |
| Buried: | [not known] |
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| Description | |
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On 9 April, William Gibson, while going to work at Whitworth Colliery, was crossing the line of the South Brancepeth Colliery Railway ‘when the wire rope attached to some waggons which were going down the incline bounced up and caught him and threw him a great height from the ground.’ He was found lying on the lines between the rails; blood was flowing out of his mouth and ears, and he was unconscious. He was taken home and died the same night.
At the inquest, it was stated that ‘It appeared deceased was walking along an old footpath leading from Tudhoe to Whitworth, and which crosses the railway at a place which is very dangerous, on account of the rope which there generally bounces up.
The jury recorded a verdict of accidental death, ‘accompanied by a request that the Railway Company would construct a proper fence so as to prevent persons crossing at this place, and that they would also provide a safe crossing by a bridge.’
The footpath — actually a bridleway — still exists today, and is known locally as Lovers Lane; it runs from Tudhoe Mill to Whitworth Hall. Charles I reputedly used it on his way north to Scotland.
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- Contributions by members of the Public
- Text kindly provided by Jim Grainger from his research into early newspapers (primarily the Durham Advertiser and Durham Chronicle).
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| Researchers | |
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