Mexborough and Swinton Times June 14th, 1919
Swinton Miner Drowned.
A “Jolly” Night Ends Tragically
A Strange Coincidence
Mr. Kenyon Parker held an inquest on Tuesday into the death of a miner, John Needham (38), of Cauwood street, Swinton.
Horace Needham., brother, said deceased left home on Saturday evening to go for a walk. he was in good spirits, and witness knew he was a good swimmer and fond of bathing. He did not return home, and witness heard from Alfred Adey that he had been drowned. He had no cause to believe it was anything but an accident. He did not think deceased had had too much drink.
The Coroner said that deceased was old enough to have known better.
Witness: He was used to night bathing.
Alfred Adey, a miner, of Oxford street, said he met deceased at the Cresswell Arms, Swinton, about 7-30, and about 10 o’clock they left the public house together Witness did not know how much deceased had had to drink.
The Coroner: The report says that both, of you were “very jolly.”–That is correct. Witness, continuing’, said deceased brought up the subject of bathing, and suggested going down to the canal for a swim. Witness demurred and thought the water might he too cold. Deceased, who told him he could swim, and that he often bathed at night, persuaded Lim to go, and they went down near the locks at Bowbroom and stripped. Deceased dived in first and witness followed. He saw deceased swimming about, and he struck out in another direction. When he got back to the bank he could see nothing of deceased.. He shouted his name, but got no response, and heard and saw nothing. Becoming alarmed, he informed some people nearby, and notified the police.
It was stated that by a strange coincidence deceased’s wife committed suicide and drowned her child near the same spot i n Dec., 1917.
A verdict of “Accidentally drowned” was returned.