Man hit by train 28th February 1945 THE WESTMORLAND
GAZETTE MAN KILLED ON LINE Tebay Railwayman’s Find Near Oxenholme Joseph Pye, aged 54 years, an installer in the signal and telegraph department of the L. M. S. 59 Wellington Road, Lancaster, was instantly killed between Oxenholme and Grayrigg yesterday (Thursday) morning by the 10-30 a.m. train from Penrith. The accident occurred about three miles north of Oxenholme Station at about 11-25 a.m. and it is believed that Pye, who, with two other employees, had been working on a “ cupboard ” in connection with a signal near Benson Hall, was bending down to pick up his tools from the sleepers when he was struck in the back by the train. He received terrible injuries and was found a few yards from where he had been working by another employee, Harry Morrison Webster, Mount Pleasant, Tebay. The body was conveyed to Oxenholme station in a goods’ wagon. UNAWARE OF THE TRAIN’S APPROACH Webster was working with Pye at the time, but was unaware of the train’s approach. He just heard a swish and a thud. Another workman, Samuel Thompson, Fern Cottage, Galgate, was in the signal box, 100 yards away, at the time of the accident. The driver of the train, H. Livesey, of Preston, was unaware of the accident until he was told on arrival at Preston. Pye is a married man and has two children. He had been employed by the L. M. S. for 35 years. THE WESTMORLAND
GAZETTE FATAL STOOP NEAR RAILWAY LINE Inquiry Into Oxenholme Accident “ PICKING UP TOOLS ” A verdict of “ Accidental death ” was returned at the inquest at Oxenholme Station on Saturday, on Joseph Pye, aged 54 years, 59 Wellington Road, Lancaster, an installer in the signal and telegraph department of the L. M. S. Railway who was killed near Benson Hall bridge, Scalthwaiterigg, last Tuesday by a passing train. Mr. G. E. Cartmel (Coroner for South Westmorland), sat with a jury of which Mr. J. W. Atkinson was foreman. Among those present were Mr. J. Swarbrick, District Controller, L.M.S. Lancaster, Mr. J. Wilson, organising secretary, Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, Leeds (representing the driver of the train) ; Mr. G. F. Hallam, solicitor, Lancaster, (representing the relatives of Pye) ; Mr. J. T. Greenall (signal and telegraph department), Lancaster ; Mr. J. H. Allsop (telegraph inspector), Lancaster, Mr. E. T. Hannam (assistant district engineer), Lancaster ; and Supt. R. Dewhurst, Kendal. Edgar Pye, 59 Wellington Road, Lancaster, draper’s assistant, identified the body as that of his father, who had been with the railway company for 35 years. RUSH AND A THUD Harry Morrison Webster, Mount Pleasant, Tebay, employed in the signal and telegraph department, said on Thursday, with Pye, he was working at signal just below Benson Hall bridge, north of Oxenholme. Samuel Thompson was also present, and they were working on the up line. They were installing the advanced distant signal, and Pye was putting in the “cupboard.” About 11-20 a.m., Pye had almost finished his work, and witness began to put the apparatus in. He did not notice where Pye had left his tools, and witness was aware that a train would be approaching, but he was so used to them he did not worry. “ The first intimation I had of anything happening” he said “ was a rush and a thud, and on looking round I saw that Pye had been knocked down.” He had been thrown about 5 yards. They were working on a curve, and were not keeping any particular look-out as the actual work was clear of the line. A light engine was stopped and the body was taken to Oxenholme. DID NOT HEAR WHISTLE In reply to Mr. Hallam, witness said he never heard the engine whistle, but from its noise he would say it was going about 70 miles per hour. Coroner : He must be mistaken. It is a big speed for an ordinary train. Replying to Supt. Dewhurst, witness said he had since found out that a train was going up at the same time, and made a big noise. Answering Mr. Wilson, Webster said he was approximately 6 feet from the railway line, and as far as he knew he thought Pye was nearer the line. In witness’s opinion, the man had no reason to go foul of any passing train. Coroner : So far as I can see, he was picking up his tools. Samuel Thompson, Fern Cottage, Galgate, employed in the signalling department, said he was working with Pye whose tools were at the sleeper end on the up line. Witness went to put some coal on the fire, and left Pye near his tools. He had just got into the cabin when he heard Mr. Webster shout. On going out he found that Pye had been struck by a train travelling south. It seemed as though Pye was picking up his tools, on completing his work, and was then struck. They were not working on the ine itself, but close to it. After the accident the tools were still on the sleeper end. In witness’s opinion Pye had been struck while picking up his tools. Supt. Dew Hurst : There was no need to leave his tools on the sleeper end ? - No. TWO MILES IN TWO MINUTES Robert Raffles, stationmaster at Oxenholme, said the 9-50 a.m. Carlisle to Preston slow train struck Pye and passed Hayfell box at 11.25 and Peat Lane at 11.27, and therefore did the two miles in about two minutes. The 9-35 a.m. express from Manchester to Glasgow passed at the same time and place as the accident. The train going north would make much more noise than the one that struck Pye. Henry Livesey, Maudland Bank, Preston, said he was the driver of the train which the struck the man. Witness remembered Passing Benson Hall bridge, but he did not see any men working. He did not know he had struck anyone until he arrived at Lancaster at 12-15 p.m. He examined the engine and found evidence of the accident on the left step of the engine. He would be travelling 50 to 55 miles per hour at the point. TERRIBLE INJURIES P. C. Morton, Kendal, said at 12 noon he received information of the accident, and went along to Oxenholme Station along wit Sergt. Brockbank. The injuries included - fracture of the spine, fracture of the right leg above the knee, fracture of the left ankle, and fracture of the base of the skull. He later went to the scene of the accident, 200 yards south of Benson Hall bridge. The accident occurred on a slight left-hand curve and there was a view of the line to the north of approximately 300 yards, and about 200 yards south. The distance from the line to a steep grass embankment was six feet and the “ cupboard ” was slightly further away. The Coroner said it appeared that Pye was stooping to pick up his tools when he was struck. Railwaymen became used to passing trains and never heard them approaching. Mr. Swarbrick expressed sympathy with the relatives on behalf of the railway company. Many thanks to Steve Scott from Kendal for sending in this report Man hit by train 28th February 1945 - THE WESTMORLAND GAZETTE 2nd and 9th MARCH 1935
|