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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 07 Dec 1946
Page 10 Column 2
Fatally Injured on Way to Work
Westport Man Knocked Down by Car
Langport Driver's Evidence at Taunton Inquest
A verdict of “Accidental death was recorded by the West Somerset Coroner, Col. Geoffrey P. CLARKE, at the inquest at Taunton on Friday on Mr. Charles MILLER, aged 70, of Westport, who was fatally injured by a motor-car while walking to his work at Walronds Park, Ile Brewers.
Evidence was given by his employer, Mr. Clarence HALLETT, and by Mrs. Lillian JENKINS, of Heywood, Westbury, who said her father was in good health, though slightly deaf.
P.C. WINTER, Broadway, said the accident occurred near the Clarence Inn, Ile Brewers, on the Langport-Ilminster-road. There was a brake mark on the grass verge for 24 feet. It was a very wet and windy morning and the storm would have been blowing right across Mr. MILLER's path as he was walking along.
A statement made to the Constable by the driver of the car, Mr. Edwin John SMALL, gardener, of The Hill, Langport, who is employed by Dr. P. HARRIS, Langport, stated that he was driving Dr. HARRIS' car and was taking three little children to Jordans' School. After passing the Clarence Inn, travelling at about 35-40 m.p.h., he saw an old man in the middle of the road. He blew his horn, but the man took no notice. As he drew nearer he blew it again and the man moved to the right. Thinking he intended walking over to that side of the road, he continued, but slowed down
KNOCKED DOWN.
“Then he seemed to sway right across in front of my car,” he added. “I put on my brakes, but I don't suppose they held on the wet grass and the road. The front headlamp hit him and knocked him down. I got out and found he was dead, which surprised me very much as I only just seemed to bump him.”
Mr. SMALL elected to give evidence and confirmed his statement to the police.
Dr. Crichton MacGAFFEY, pathologist, who made a post-mortem examination, said there was a compound fracture of the left temple, which caused death, and also minor bruising and slight intermal injuries.
The Coroner: Would you have expected death to take place within a few minutes? - I think so because of the contusion of the brain, but that was not very extensive.
The Coroner said it was an accident which, when one first heard of it, seemed one that should never have occurred. He pointed out that pedestrians were advised always to face on-coming traffic where there was no pavement. But often in country districts and in the day time this rule was not ovserved. He thought that the driver was justified in passing on the left, having sounded his horn the second time and seeing Mr. MILLER move to his right. Unfortunately, at the last minute, the pedestrian must have moved towards the left. He found that there was no criminal negligence on the part of the driver.
THE FUNERAL.
The first part of the funeral service at Westport Gospel Hall on Saturday, was conducted by Mr WYATT, of Ile Brewers, with Mr. Reginald WOODLAND at the organ. Interment followed in Hambridge Churchyard. Principal mourners were: Mrs. C. MILLER (wife), Mr. W. MILLER (son), Mrs. J. JENKINS (daughter), Miss J and B. JENKINS, Misses Y. and D. MILLER, Mr. L. JENKINS (grandchildren), Mrs F. MALL (sister), Mr J. JENKINS (son-in-law), Mrs. C. MILLER (daughter-in-law), and Mrs. N. MALL.
Floral tributes numbering 23, included wreaths from members of the Gospel Hall, where Mr. MILLER was a regular worshipper, and the staff at Walronds Park
Mrs. C. MILLER and family wish to thank all relations, friends and neighbours for letters of condolence and beautiful floral tributes.
The funeral arrangements were carried out Mr. Charles BRISTER, Ile Brewers.
<NOTES: Charles MILLER son of Richard MILLER and Ellen or Eleanor WEBBER, married Louisa MALE
Louisa MALE daughter of Christopher Jeremiah HALLETT and Rosa Ann MALE, married Charles MILLER
Mrs F. MALL is Anne or Annie MILLER daughter of Richard MILLER and Ellen or Eleanor WEBBER, married Francis Thomas or Frank MALE>