Fatal Accidents on the Central Wales Line.

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Shrewsbury Chronicle - 17th November 1871

KNIGHTON. SINGULAR RAILWAY ACCIDENT,

RESULTING IN DEATH.

On Wednesday morning week, about a quarter to six o'clock, an accident happened between this town and Weston Ballast Works, where many men are employed for the double-line of rails in getting material for filling and ballast. Many of the men residing in Knighton, the ballast engine is sent to Knighton each morning to fetch the men to work, Weston being three miles distant. On the morning in question it went as usual, about 5.30, when the engine came in contact with some trucks and waggons, which had not been braked the previous evening by some remissness, and so escaping from the station, there being a slight incline, they had gone some distance to where the engine, with driver, stoker, and cleaner met them. The waggons toppled over on to the engine and tender, and it was only through the strength of the tender that the men were not smashed. The driver escaped with a shock, the stoker (J. Davies) with a severe cut down the face; but Thomas Jones, the cleaner, was crushed severely across the thighs, and his skull was fractured. He died on Monday. Mr. Covernton was the surgeon in the case, and did what could be done under the circumstances.

Deceased Name: Thomas Jones

Age: 18 years

Accident Date: Wednesday, 8th November 1871

Death Date: Monday, 13th November 1871

Cardiff Times - 17th January 1880

FATAL ACCIDENT NEAR KNIGHTON

An inquest was held on Wednesday on the body of a man named Bishop residing at Bucknell, who was killed on Tuesday morning. Deceased, who was a platelayer on the London and North-Western Railway, was at work on the up-line, but upon hearings the approach of the passenger train from Craven Arms, he crossed over to the siding, but as soon as the passenger train had passed, he re-crossed to the up-line, and it is supposed that the noise and steam from the passenger train prevented him hearing or seeing the approach of the local goods train from Knighton, which passed and knocked deceased down, scalping him, cutting off his right foot, and breaking his right leg. Death was immediate. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

Deceased Name: Richard Bishop

Age: 53 years.

Accident Date: Tuesday, 13th January 1880

Death Date: Tuesday, 13th January 1880

Weekly Mail - 5th May 1883

FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE CENTRAL WALES RAILWAY.

On Saturday afternoon a man named Charles Evans, who was employed as a platelayer on the Knighton and Central Wales branch of the London and North Western Railway, was run over and his head completely severed from his body by an engine, which was running with a guards' van attached, near to Hopton Heath Station. It appears that the engine came unexpectedly round a curve while deceased was standing between the metals. The alarm whistle was blown by the driver, but deceased appeared not to notice it. Deceased leaves a wife and six children.

Deceased Name: Charles Evans

Age: .

Accident Date: Saturday, 28th April 1883

Death Date: Saturday, 28th April 1883

Cardiff Times - 27th February 1886

KNIGHTON. FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT

Mr H. T. Weyman, coroner for South Shropshire, held an inquest at Knighton, on Saturday evening, as to the death of Mr John Ruell, farmer and cattle dealer, whose body was found beside the line near his house at Panpunton, on Thursday afternoon. Deceased, who was about 76 years of age, seemed to have been struck by the up express from Swansea. He was in the habit of walking with his head down, and was slightly deaf. The driver and fireman of the train stated that they did not see the deceased, and knew nothing of the accident. The jury, without retiring, found that deceased was accidentally knocked down and killed by a passing train while crossing the line on his way home.

Leominster News - 26th February 1886

THE FATAL ACCIDENT NEAR KNIGHTON.

Mr H T Weyman, coroner for South Shropshire held an inquest on Saturday last on the body of John Ruell, who was killed on the railway near Knighton on Thursday, the 18th inst. The inquest was held at Panpunton, the late residence of the deceased. Mr. J. Morris was foreman of the jury. After the body bad been viewed, the following evidence was adduced.

Thomas Dyke deposed: I am a farmer living in Panpunton. I knew Mr. John Ruell, who was a farmer at Panpunton; he was 76 years of age. On Thursday, the 18th, about five minutes past 4 p.m., I found deceased lying on the railway near his own house. I felt him, and found that he was quite dead. After calling for assistance I went for Inspector Rogers, of Knighton. My opinion was that he had been struck by a passing train. Deceased was in the habit of walking with his head hanging a little, and being a little deaf, might not have heard the train.

David Rogers said: I am an inspector of police stationed at Knighton About a quarter past four on the day named I received information from the last witness (Thomas Dyke) in consequence of which I went towards Panpunton, and found the body of deceased lying in the hedge by the side of the railway. I felt his face, which was quite warm. In my opinion, his neck was broken, and also his left arm, which appeared to have been done by the force of the blow he received. He appeared to have been thrown with great violence into the hedge.

Elijah Baker said: I was driver of the 12.30 p.m train from Swansea due at Knighton at 4.05 p.m. on Thursday, the 18th. I did not observe anything while passing the spot in question, nor did I feel any shock. Charles Warburton, fireman of the above train, gave corroborative evidence.

Mr. Probert, of Swansea, who watched the inquest on behalf of the London and North Western Railway Company, said if it was the wish of the jury the Company would give orders for all engine-driven to whistle when approaching this crossing

The jury thought this unnecessary, and after being addressed at some length by the coroner, they returned the following verdict : —"That deceased met his death casually and unfortunately while crossing the line."

The funeral cortege of deceased passed through the town on Tuesday on its way to Llanvihangel-rhydithon, where the remains have been interred. As the solemn procession wended its way through the town, blinds were drawn and shutters were put up, great respect being shown the deceased. A large number of friends and relatives attended the funeral.

Deceased Name: John Ruell

Age: 76 years

Accident Date: Thursday, 18th February 1886

Death Date: Thursday, 18th February 1886

South Wales Echo - 5th October 1887

SAD FATALITY AT KNIGHTON.

A deplorable accident occurred at Knighton on Monday. The railway station at night was crowded with visitors who were returning from the fair, and one of them, a farmer named Richard James, of Hopton Heath, fell from the platform underneath a goods train which was about leaving the station. Before the train could be stopped, the unfortunate man had been carried some fifteen yards along the line. When extricated, he was found to be dead The body was taken to the Central Wales Hotel to await the inquest.

INQUEST

Held before W Stephens Esw., coroner for the County of Radnor, and a jury of which Mr Bufton was foreman.

Anne James, of Hopton Heath in the parish of Clungunford, deposed that she was the wife of the deceased, whose age was 68 years. She last saw him about 3-45 on Monday (Knighton fair day), in Norton Street. He was quite sober. He gave her the key of the door, and said he was uncertain as to the time he should get home. He was not in the habit of getting drunk, and had not been the worse for drink for some time. She went home by the mail train about 8-30, on Monday, and expected him by the same train. The deceased had been unwell lately, and his sight was rather bad.

John Davies, of Knighton, a warehouse porter, was next called, and he said that on Monday about 7-30 he was on the down platform at the station, and he saw the deceased jump off the platform, cross the rails, and go underneath some wagons on the other side. He shouted to him to come back, and told him that the train standing there would start directly, but James told him to "mind his own business," and attempted to get between the wagons. He (Davies) called the attention of a porter and told him that a man was crossing under the wagon, and another porter remarked perhaps he had made a mistake, as he (the porter) had just been coupling the trucks together about that place. Davies next saw the deceased holding onto the buffers and couplings between the wagons, his feet dragging the ground, and he did not see him again until a few minutes after the train had left, when he was found several yards below, lying between the rails, quite dead. He said that he thought deceased very much under the influence of drink.

Joseph Whitford, inspector on the Central Wales Railway, was next called, and said he was on duty at Knighton Station on Monday, at 7-30. A goods train from Swansea had arrived, and was standing there, it left at 7-35, for Craven Arms. He was on the down platform when his attention was called to the deceased, who was then lying on the rails. He went with his lamp, caught hold of him, and found he was dead. He then informed PC Edwards, of Bucknell. He said the deceased should have crossed the line by the bridge, persons being liable to a heavy penalty for crossing by any other way.

This was all the evidence.

The jury gave their verdict "Accidental death," at the same time expressing their satisfaction of the witness Davies's conduct in warning the deceased of his danger.

The reporters, having left the room, were sent for by the coroner, when he said he wished to state that the body should never have been taken to the stable where it now lay, as the place was very unfit for such a purpose. If no other place could have been found, it should have been taken to a cottage and he would have allowed any reasonable sum for its accommodation. He also remarked that as the death occurred in the parish of Stowe, in the county of Salop, he could not see the motive of the police in removing it to this county. The proper place to remove the body to was the deceased's late residence, and he thought the Railway Company would have done this had they been requested to do so. As it was, the action taken was most improper, and he should be bound to call the attention of the Chief Constable of Shropshire to the matter.

Deceased Name: Richard James

Age: 68 years

Accident Date: Monday, 3rd October 1887

Death Date: Monday, 3rd October 1887

Montgomeryshire Express - 15th December 1891

KNIGHTON

KILLED ON THE RAILWAY

On Thursday a little girl named Beatrice Gough, aged six years, was killed on the railway by the 1:15 train, near to her home in Knucklas, on her way to school with her brother, George, and sister Mary Ann. The parents of the child reside at Treluggas, near to where the accident occurred. The child's head was completely smashed and her foot cut off.

Deceased Name: Beatrice Gough

Age: 6 years

Accident Date: Tuesday, 8th December 1891

Death Date: Tuesday, 8th December 1891

Evening Express - 23rd October 1896

TRAGIC DEATH AT KNIGHTON FALL OF A CHILD FROM A TRAIN.

A terrible accident occurred on the railway at Knucklas, near Knighton, on Thursday. Mrs. Thomas, wife of Evan Thomas, pointsman, Pen-y-bont, with her little child (just turned two), was coming to Knighton by the market train which left Pen-y-bont at 12.15. When the train had just left Knucklas the child fell out of the carriage, and Mrs. Thomas jumped out after it. The child was found in an unconscious condition, being terribly cut about the head. As soon as the train reached Knighton the stationmaster was acquainted with the facts. He at once proceeded back with the train to Knucklas, where the poor woman had been taken in. Both mother and child were conveyed to Knighton, and Mrs. Thomas, who was still in an unconscious state, was seen by Dr. Hardman, and after was sent to Shrewsbury Infirmary by the next train. Little hope is entertained of her recovery. She is the mother of ten children.

Deceased Name: Rosa Thomas

Age: 2 years

Accident Date: Thursday, 22nd October 1896

Death Date: Thursday, 22nd October 1896

Brecon and Radnor Express -Thursday, 11th February 1897

FEARFUL DEATH ON THE RAILWAY AT KNIGHTON.

A MAN CUT TO PIECES.

AN OLD SOLDIERS SAD END.

A terrible accident occurred on Thursday afternoon on the line near Witterley, a mile from Knighton, whereby a man named John Fox met with a frightful death. It appears that deceased, who was native of Bristol, but who for the last 18 months had been in regular employment on the Birmingham water track, left his home at Monaughty in his usual health on Thursday morning, and instead of going to work came to Knighton, where he made several purchases, and about mid-day was seen wandering about the fields and roads near the railway. He did not appear to be the worse for drink and little notice was taken of him. About 2 o’clock he was under Kinsley Wood, and entered into conversation with roadman named Thomas Jones, of Stowe. This was the last time he was seen alive before the accident. Jones was not called at the inquest. This is to be regretted, as he may have been able to give evidence as to the state of mind of the poor man, which was not elicited at the enquiry. He was next seen walking from the direction of Knucklas along the path beside the boundary hedge of the lines near Witterleys, and seems to have run up on the metals as the express approached and thrown himself in front of it. The driver stopped immediately, but the poor fellow been cut completely in two and fearfully mangled. Death must have instantaneous. A man from Mr Dove’s was sent to Knighton to give information, and Mr Hodder, stationmaster, Sergt. Hopton and several railway officials proceeded with an engine to the spot. The remains were reverently collected together and conveyed to Knighton on a trolley, and subsequently taken to the stable at the Central Wales Hotel to await an inquest. The terrible affair caused much consternation amongst the market people and inhabitants at Knighton. It transpired that deceased bore a very good character, had served 21 years in the army, and was in receipt of a pension of 7s. per week.

THE INQUEST

Was held at the Police-court, Knighton, on Friday afternoon before Mr William Wakelin, one of the coroners for Radnorshire.

Mr Bayley, from the district manager's office, at Swansea, was present, on behalf of the Railway Company. Mr Tucker and Mr Biggs, the guards of the express, and a number of railway officials were also present. Mr J. L. Allcock was foreman of the jury.

The Jury, having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken:-

Frank Smith, said - I live at Monaughty, and the deceased man, John Fox, has been lodging with me for the past 6 months. He was about 60 years of age, and had served 21 years in the army and received a pension of 7s week. He was a labourer, on the Birmingham Water Works. He left his home about 7.20, on Thursday morning, and I did not see him alive after. I thought he had gone to his work, as usual.

By Mr Robinson (a juror): The deceased was not married, to my knowledge.

Mr Robinson; Rumour has it that he was.

Mr H. T. Jones (another juryman) here stated that he saw the deceased walking up the street between 10 and 12, on Thursday morning. He said “Good morning, John,” but deceased did not answer. He was wearing the hat found on his body.

Charles Cadwallader said - I am an engine driver, in the employ of the London and North Western Railway, and was driving the 3.10 express from Knighton, on Thursday afternoon. When passing the 13¼ mile post, which would be about a mile above Knighton, I saw a man on the railway. He was walking to meet me on the right hand side, near the hedge fence. It was not foggy. He seemed to be walking in the ordinary way. He was not on the line so I had no occasion to blow my whistle. When I was few yards away, he ran up and threw himself across the right hand rail. I had no time to pull up. When I saw man turn towards the line, I shut off steam at once and applied the vacuum brake, but it was too late. I never saw deceased before to my knowledge. He was trespassing and had no right to be there, but I did not know him from a platelayer or anyone else. I did all in my power to avert the catastrophe. We were going about 30 miles an hour.

By a Juror: I brought my train to a standstill. It was my duty to stop. I reported the accident to the foreman platelayer.

William Meyrick said - I am a foreman platelayer, in the employ of the London and North Western Railway Company. I was walking my 2½ miles’ length, on Thursday afternoon, towards Knacklas. I did not observe anyone on the line. The 3.10 Swansea express passed me at the 13 mile post. Directly afterwards, I saw it stop and thought something had happened. I went up as fast as I could and met the fireman. He said “Come on, Meyrick, there’s a man killed here.” I went up and saw the body lying across the rails. The driver, foreman, and the two guards were beside it. They told me they should leave the body in my charge and go on with their train. The man was quite dead. The train then went on. I asked Mr Dove, who has a farm just by, to send one of his men to Knighton, to inform the station-master, what had happened and to let the police know. I waited with the body and afterwards took it to Knighton on a lorry.

By Mr W. A. Griffiths (a juror): The body lay across the rail, and the train had gone right over it. I just managed to move it aside before the up train came.

Mr Robinson said he should like to ask the first witness, Frank Smith, a question, and in reply he said there was only one John Fox living at Monaughty. He believed deceased lived at Ashton, Bedminster, Bristol. Never heard his mother lived at Wellington.

The Coroner here said he did not think it would be necessary to call the guards, Tucker and Biggs.

Sergt. William Hopton, Knighton, said the accident was reported to him about quarter to four on Thursday. He went up on an engine to the scene in company with Mr Elystan Lloyd (chief Constable), P.C. Morris, of the Shropshire police, and Mr Holder, station master, Knighton. Near the 13 mile post near Witterleys, he saw the body lying on the side of the line. The man was quite dead. The body was afterwards brought to Knighton on a trolley, and taken to the stables at the Central Wales Hotel. Witness saw P.C. Johns search the pockets and find 7s 11d on it. There were no papers. Witness had made enquiries, but could obtain no information beyond that mentioned by Smith. Had telegraphed to the Bristol police that morning, but received no reply yet. The police had not seen the man, but a roadman saw him going up the Shropshire side. He asked the way to Dolau.

Mr W. A. Griffiths asked what distance there was from the fence where deceased was walking to the line. It would make all the difference whether there was room or not.

Mr Cadwallawdor, driver, said there was plenty of room. He considered it to be a deliberate act. Deceased could see the train far away. He waited till they got up to him, and then threw himself right across the rails.

Mr Bayley, assistant manager, said he had that morning measured the place. The distance between the fence and the line was nine feet, and then the rails were raised two feet above.

The Coroner said he thought that was all the evidence he need lay before the jury. Unfortunately they were unable to trace the movements of the deceased after Mr Jones saw him. He had business on the line, and nine feet was plenty of room to walk without injury. They must consider whether it was an accident or whether deceased deliberately threw himself on the line. There was one thing certain, and that was that no blame could be attached to the Railway Company or their servants, and the train was going at its ordinary speed.

The Foreman said the jury were of opinion that the deceased wilfully threw away his life, but they could not ascertain the motive. Deceased had plenty of work and plenty of money. There was no blame to the L. & N. W. Company or their servants. There was no evidence to show the state of his mind.

The actual verdict was – “That the deceased man, John Fox, deliberately threw himself in front of the 3.10 express train on the 4th February, and was instantly killed, but there was evidence to show the state of his mind at the time, and no blame was attached to any servant of the Railway Company.”

The funeral took place in Knighton Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, the services being performed by the Rev. William Williams, Baptist minister.

Deceased Name: John Fox

Age: 60 years

Accident Date: Thursday, 4th February 1897

Death Date: Thursday, 4th February 1897

Evening Express - 14th May 1897

SCHOOLBOY'S DEATH.

James Hall, son of a shoemaker it Knighton, was crossing the railway on Thursday when he fell in front of a passing engine, which cut his head completely off.

Deceased Name: James Hall

Age: 7 years

Accident Date: Thursday, 13th May 1897

Death Date: Thursday, 13th May 1897

Hereford Times - 18th February 1899

KILLED ON THE RAILWAY NEAR KNIGHTON

On Wednesday morning, as a party of platelayers were proceeding to their work, on the railway, between Buckwell and Bedstone, they discovered the dead body of an agricultural labourer lying in the hedge. It appears that the deceased was known as Henry Hope and that he had lately been in the employment of Mr J. G. Finney, of Coxall farm, and it is supposed that he must have been knocked into the position in which he was found, by the 9.30 mail train from Knighton to Craven Arms on the previous night.

Deceased Name: Henry Hope

Age: 57 years

Accident Date: Wednesday, 15th February 1899

Death Date: Wednesday, 15th February 1899

The Brecon Radnor Express - 6th January 1916

LLANGUNLLO FATALITY

KILLED ON THE RAILWAY BY SHREWSBURY EXPRESS.

An inquest was held at the Shrewsbury Mortuary, on Wednesday, before Mr Coroner Clarke, on the body of John Powis (Station Cottage, Llangunllo), who died on the previous Monday from injuries received on the railway the same night.

George Powis, in the employ of the L. & N.W. Railway Company, said the deceased had been in the employ of the company for about 21 years as ganger.

George Powell, stationmaster at Llangunllo, said that on Monday at 7.58 p.m. the express train from Shrewsbury to Swansea ran through the station at Llangunllo ninety minutes late. Five minutes afterwards he heard someone on the line shouting "Jim." Jim was the signalman. Both of them taking their lamps, they went in the direction from 'which the cry came, and then saw, some 50 yards away, Powis kneeling in the six-foot and supporting himself on his hands. He said he was badly hurt, but he did not say how the injuries to his arm and stomach had been caused. He and the signalman carried Powis to his home, which was only about 15 yards away (Station Cottage), and witness then wired for a doctor from Llandrindod, who attended to his injuries and ordered his removal to the Salop Infirmary. He stopped the express train from Swansea to Shrewsbury, and travelled with Powis, who, however, died as they were just leaving Craven Arms. He took the body to the Infirmary, but he was told it could not be received there, and so it was taken to the Mortuary. Deceased told him that he thought the express train, which ran through the station and which apparently knocked him down, was a local train which he had intended meeting, expecting the arrival of his son from Knighton by it.

In reply to a juryman, witness said that had it been the local train it would have stopped at a point considerably short of that at which deceased attempted to cross the line.

The jury returned a verdict of "accidental death."

The coroner remarked that no blame could be attached to anyone.

Inspector Tor, Craven Arms, attended on behalf of the London and North-Western Railway Company.

Deceased Name: John Powis

Age: 51 years

Accident Date: Monday, 27th December 1915

Death Date: Monday, 27th December 1915

Brecon County Times - 19th June 1930

KILLED BY EXPRESS.

Radnorshire Woman Knocked Down on Railway.

When returning on Saturday evening from Knighton, Radnorshire, to her home at Panpwnton Farm, less than a mile away, Mrs. Eliza Miles was knocked down by an express train from Shrewsbury to Swansea while crossing the railway. Death must have been instantaneous. She was the wife of William Miles, a retired farmer, was about 78 years of age, and rather deaf.

Hull Daily Mail - 27th April 1931

George Beedleston, of Shrewsbury, a driver on the L.M.S. Railway, was killed at Knighton on Saturday during shunting operations.

Deceased Name: George Beedleston

Age: 52 years

Accident Date: Saturday, 25th April 1931

Death Date: Saturday, 25th April 1931