Home People Accidents Mexboro’ Driver’s Death – Not Caused by Accident

Mexboro’ Driver’s Death – Not Caused by Accident

September 1944

South Yorkshire Times, September 23rd, 1944

Mexboro’ Driver’s Death

Not Caused by Accident

Bruises received in a collision between his engine and another locomotive at Hull in January were held by medical opinion at a Mexborough inquest on Tuesday not to have had any bearing on the death which occurred on Saturday at his home, of Christopher Patman (56), railway engine driver, of 4 Benita Avenue, Mexborough, and the Doncaster District Coroner (Mr W. H Carlile) recorded a verdict of “Natural Causes.”  Death was due to toxaemia due to extensive bronchial carcinoma.  Dr. T. Linsday, who conducted a post-mortem examination, expressed the opinion that the shortest time the cancer would have been present would be two years.  Tearing of the tissue between the ribs, the only injury sustained by Patman in the accident would have no effect on the growth, which was deep-rooted.

Mrs Sarah Jane Patman, wife, said that on January 4th her husband told her he had had a knock at Hull when another locomotive ran into his engine.  He complained of pain in the chest.  An x-ray taken at Hull Infirmary immediately after the accident told her showed no fractures.  He started work on January 30th but stopped on February 22nd for a fortnight.  He had to cease work again on July 17th. Since July he had attended the Montagu Hospital as an out-patient for x-ray treatment.  Three weeks ago, he was admitted to the hospital for a period of two days.  Before the accident, witness said her husband has not been medically attended nor had he complained of pain in the chest and shortage of breath, of which he had since complained.

George E. Hattersley, 33, Cliffefield Road, Swinton, fireman to Patman when the collision occurred, described how at Hull they came into collision with another locomotive.  Both Patman and he were knocked forward on to the footplate.  Patman was unable to get up and witness lifted him and then he was able to stand, but complained about his ribs hurting.  They were taken by ambulance to Hull Royal Infirmary. Dr. Lindsay said that after the accident Patman went to him and he had no injury apart from bruising which was not severe.  He made a good recovery, but complained of pain in his chest and of a cough.  Witness arranged for him to go to the Montagu Hospital and a second lot of x-rays suggested the presence of a growth.  The post-mortem examination revealed a carcinoma affecting the left and to a lesser degree the right bronchus, with secondary growths in the lower lobe of the left lung an apex of the right lung and a dense mass of cancer in the base of the neck.  It was quite possible the cancer had been there three or four years.  Dr Lindsay said he did not think the blow sustained in the accident would have accelerated Patman’s death.

The funeral took place at Mexborough on Wednesday.  Mourners were – Mrs. S. J. Patman (widow), Mr. and Mrs. H. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. W. Patman, Mrs. L. Lincoln, Mrs. H. Colbrook, Mrs. W. Patman, Mrs. S. Patman, Mr. and Mrs. T. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. W. Butcher, Mr. and Mrs. F. Blagg, Mr. and Mrs. W. Belk, Mr. and Mrs. J. Peat, Mrs. Batty, Mr. and Mrs. L. Rastall, Mrs. E. Lund, Mr. and Mrs. C. Marks, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Fowler, Mr. and Mrs. F. Belk, Mr. and Mrs. Flavell, Misses Tilly and Betty Baulk, Mr. D. Humphries, Mrs. H. Long, Mrs. P. Chipp, Mr. A. Lewis, Mr. L. Fletcher, Mrs. Waterworth, Miss M. Johnson, Mrs. H. Thorpe, Miss D. Thorpe, Miss E. Loughlin, Mrs. L. Clamp, Mirs. A. Croft, Miss. N. Taylor, Mr. Parry, Mrs. T. Hobson, Mrs. E. Ventham, Mrs. F. Dobson, Mrs. A. Gale, Miss Lockwood, and representatives of St. George’s Church including Mothers’ Union members. Bearers were L.N.E.R. drivers Messrs. J. Booth, J. Wass, J. Shatlock and J. Wharton. Representatives of A.S.L.E.& F. was Mr. R. Robshaw. Drivers, and firemen were represented by Mr. B. Pearson. Floral tributes included those from neighbours and friends of Benita Avenue.