Shocking Railway Death

SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT A RAILWAY STATION.

On Saturday morning Mr. George Collier held an inquiry at the London hospital, respecting the death of William Smith, aged 22, a baker, who was killed on the railway, at the Hoe-street station, Walthamstow. The wife of deceased deposed that she visited her husband in the London hospital, and he told her he was asleep on the platform of the Hoe-street railway station, when a young man came up and suddenly awoke him. By the time the train came in he was not properly awake. It was a fast train, and he fell off the platform. As he scrambled to again get on to the platform, a part of the train caught him, and he was severely injured. Her husband was of sober habits, and he did not blame anyone. John Edwards, a hawker, said he was with Smith at the Hoe-street station. Deceased fell asleep, and when witness awoke him he scrambled up and fell off the platform. Before he could recover his position, the train caught him. The foot-board of the train appeared to catch him. Other evidence having been given, one of the resident house-surgeons at the London hospital proved that when deceased was admitted he was suffering from injuries to his leg. In consequence the limb had to be amputated, and he died from exhaustion, consequent on the injuries. The coroner having summed up, the jury recorded a verdict of "Accidental death."

Source: Lloyd's Weekly London Newspaper, November 28, 1886, Page 3