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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 09 Dec 1925
Page 4 Column 6
TRAGIC TAUNTON ACCIDENT.
YOUNG LAD KILLED IN WHITEHALL.
FELL UNDER WHEEL OF MOTOR LORRY.
NO BLAME ATTACHED TO DRIVER.
A tragic accident, resulting in the death of a young Taunton lad, within half an hour of his being admitted to the Taunton and Somerset Hospital, having been run over by a heavy motor lorry, was the subject of a Coroner's inquiry at the hospital on Friday morning. The victim of the unfortunate occurrence was Chas. SCORSE, aged 10 years, of 6, Paradise Row, Whitehall, Taunton.
The Coroner for West Somerset, Mr. T. FOSTER BARHAM, conducted the inquiry, and P.S. BAKER and P.C. HANNAM were his officers.
The first witness, Wm. Edwin SCORSE, platelayer, employed on the Great Western Railway, father of the deceased, gave evidence of identification, but said he knew nothing concerning the accident.
Leslie Walter COLLARD, aged 11 years, son of Wm. Hy. COLLARD, of 1, Paradise Row, Whitehall, said at about 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday, he was in company with the deceased in Whitehall. He noticed a motor lorry, travelling at a slow pace, proceeding in the direction of the cattle pens. They both jumped on the step of the lorry, on the left side. Just before reaching the cattle pens he (witness) jumped off the lorry, and almost immediately afterwards, hearing a cry, he turned around just in time to see the back wheel pass over his friend. In rather a frightened state he ran down the street. The motor lorry then pulled up.
THE DRIVER'S EVIDENCE.
Evidence was next given by Thos. Wm. SIMPSON, motor driver, of 21, Westgate-street, Taunton, the driver of the lorry, who said he was proceeding up the slope of Whitehall, towards the cattle pens, at a pace of about four to five miles an hour. He did not observe the lads jump on the step, the lowest of the two being about one foot from the ground. The condition of the road would not have dislodged the boys from the step. Noticing a bump of the lorry, and knowing nothing to have been in front of the vehicle, he stopped immediately, and on getting out found deceased lying in the road. Several children were then running away from the lorry. The lad was conveyed to the hospital by his young master, Mr. Kenneth Eustace WRIGHT, who was following behind him in a small car.
In answer to Mr. Ivor G. JONES (Messrs. Alms & Jones), who appeared on behalf of the driver of the lorry, and Messrs. Wright & Sons, the owners, SIMPSON said he had been driving for 13 years, and had never previously had an accident. He had been in the employ of Messrs. Wright & Sons for 4½ years.
DEATH DUE TO MISADVENTURE.
Miss Jean MURRAY, senior house surgeon at the hospital, said deceased was admitted to the institution on Wednesday suffering from extreme shock and loss of blood. He had sustained injuries on the lower portion of the abdomen, with laceration of skin, and severance of large blood vessels. The patient did not respond to any treatment, and died within half an hour of his admission. The post-mortem examination showed nothing more than was already found – bruising and rupturing of the bowels.
The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from his injuries, as the result of being run over by a motor lorry. Death was due to misadventure, and how it exactly occurred it was not sible [sic] to say, as no-one was present. No blame could possibly be attached to the driver of the lorry.
Mr. JONES, on behalf of his clients, expressed deep sympathy with the relatives of deceased in the unfortunate occurrence.
Chief Divisional Inspector J. MAPLEDORAM, G.W.R., Exeter, was present.
<NOTES: Charles SCORSE son of William Edwin SCORSE and Eliza POMEROY>