Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 11 January 1941

Lorry Driver’s Death

Five Vehicles In Butterbusk Crash

Bad Visibility Blamed

The Doncaster Coroner. Mr. W. H. Carlile, on Friday, at the Doncaster, Guildhall, spent two hours investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Sidney Barber (31), a lorry driver, of Barnsley Avenue, Conisborough, employed by Messrs. Ward and Sons. mineral water manufacturers and beer bottlers, of Swinton, who was fatally injured the previous Tuesday night in a road accident at Conisborough.

In the course of the evidence it transpired that after a lorry had run into Barber’s vehicle three other vehicles also ran into them.

A verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned.

Mr. W. Lindsay Crawford appeared for Messrs. Ward and Sons. Mr. A. E. Maith for the relatives, and Mr. F. W. Scorah, of Sheffield, for Messrs. Tennant, Bros.. Brewers, of Sheffield. Evidence of identification was given by Albert Edward Barber, Elm Green Lane, Conisborough, brother of the dead man, who said his brother had been a lorry driver off and on sinnce1926.

Cause Of Death.

Dr. Peter Milligan. pathologist. of Doncaster, testified that the cause of death was abdominal hemorrhage due to abdominal injuries. He added that there was a remarkable absence of external marks on the body.

George Walter Long, Butterbusk Cottage, Conisborough, a farm labourer, told the Coroner that at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday he was riding his cycle near his home when he saw a motor lorry standing on the left-hand side of the road facing in the direction of Conisborough. It was carrying a very faint red rear light and a man was standing with his back to the radiator as though he was warming himself. The lorry had no lights in front. It was a very dark night and the road was greasy. He said he had difficulty in seeing, and he almost ran into the lorry.

Hugh Porter. Hill Top, Conisboro’, a chauffeur, said that when driving along the road about six p.m. he saw the lorry which had no lights on the front.He did not look at the rear. He saw no one with it. Later, as he returned, he found that another lorry had collided with It. He took the injured man to Doncaster Infirmary. Benjamin Gill, a miner, of Barnburgh Street. Denaby, said he had known Barber for some years, and at 11 o’clock on Tuesday morning saw him in Denaby when he asked him if he wanted to go for a ride. He agreed, and they spent the day together. They were on the way back from Rawcliffe when the accident occurred. Barber was using the sidelights switch when approaching, Warmsworth, but witness could not say whether or not the lights came on. When they were between Warmsworth and Butterbusk engine trouble developed and they stopped. There was another man on the lorry, and they all got out. Barber sent his mate to Conisborough to telephone a garage for assistance, and when he had gone Barber went to the rear of the vehicle which had been pulled up close to the kerb on the near side.

Heard A Crash.

After, the mate had gone witness mentioned that the lights were low, and Barber then asked him to run after his mate and tell him to inform his employers that the lights were failing and the battery had run down. Witness did so, but could not find the mate so he returned, and as he approached, the lorry he heard a crash. When he got to the scene Barber shad been taken to the Infirmary. Before he Ieft the lorry he walked and the rear and told Barber the rear light was dull.

John Leslie Thompson (16), Fitzwilliam)Street, Swinton, the driver’s mate in the lorry said the front lights were.on when they passed the Warmiworth crossoads.

Thomas William Cooper, Station Street, Swinton, a motor engineer, employed by Messr Ward and Son, said he visited the scene after the accident. One masked headlight was on but there were no side or rear lights. The following morning he examined, the lighting equipment at the garage and found the rear lamp damaged. and there were no bulbs in the side lights. These lamps had been interfered with. He put in two new (bulbs and when he switched on I they lit up.

Harry Fowler, Oxford Street, Upperthorpe. Sheffield, mate on the lorry which collided with Barber’s vehicle, said, they were carrying side lights. His driver. William Joseph Leach.’ had switched oft the headlight because he said he could see better without it. He had a windscreen , wiper which was working, but witness could not see at his side anything ahead. Following the collision they found Barber lying on the grass verge off the road. He knew nothing until they collided with the lorry.

Examined By Doctor.

P.c. Gray, who was called to the accident, said he spoke to Leach, the driver of the second lorry. He smelt of drink, was unsteady on his feet and answered questions incoherently. He formed the opinion he was under the influence of drink, and took him to Conisborough police station where he was examined by Dr. Carter.

In answer to Mr. Scorah, the officer said Leach made a voluntary statement and was released.

Mr. Scorah: And still you think it was right to tell the Coroner of this suggestion of drink?

P.s. Parkin said in the statement Leach gave a detailed account of his movements that day and of the accident. He said he had shared a bottle of beer during the day with his mate. Witness agreed that he knew nothing ‘in the statement which was incorrect.

Police Inspector Waugh said he released Leach after he had made the statement.

Wilfred Joseph Leach, Luke Lane, Sheffield, the driver, employed by Messrs. Tennant, Bros., said he had had three parts of a pint bottle of beer during the day, and was sober. He decided at Warmsworth that he could see better with his side lights only. They were in proper working order. He thought he saw something yellow in front of him and at once ;applied his brakes, but an impact occurred. He did not see a rear light on the lorry. He thought his vehicle might have pushed Barber’s lorry forward. He estimated the range of visibility at the time at nine to 12 feet. He did not see the vehicle until he was within a yard of it. Had there been a red rear light he would have seen it. His lorry had a rear light and a special constable placed another red light on the road. In spite of this, however, three other vehicles ran into the rear of the lorry.

Summing up, the Coroner said it was a bad, dark night, and no doubt the lorry driver was unable to see. Only one verdict was possible.