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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. 04 Sep 1943
Page 3 Column 4
BRIDGWATER DOCK FATALITY
INQUEST ADJOURNED
Evidence that the man's skull was very seriously injured, and that death was instantaneous, was given by a medical witness, when the Bridgwater Coroner (Mr. Christopher ROWE) on Saturday opened the inquest on Walter James THICKER, 64, labourer, 30, Wellington-road, who was killed on the previous day when a piece of timber fell on him at the Docks.
A workmate William REDWOOD, 30, St. John-street, who identified the body, said he had known Mr. THICKER for 30 years, and they were both employed by the Somerset Trading Co., Ltd., on the same job. He gave evidence from a wheeled chair, having injured a foot in the same accident.
Dr. Jeannette Drummond STED, of Malvern House said she received a telephone message at 10 a.m. on Friday, and went into the Docks, where she saw the body of a man lying on his back beside a timber truck. The log had presumably been moved from it and was lying nearby.
There were no injuries tot he man's trunk or limbs, but the skull and face had been severely compressed.
The Coroner adjourned the inquest to a date to suit the Factory Inspector.