South Yorkshire Times – Friday 27 October 1933

Leaving School

Darfield Child Knocked Down

Killed By Van

A verdict of “Death by misadventure” was returned at the inquest at Barnsley on Saturday on John Marples (4½), son of Frederick Marples, colliery lampman, 53, Nanny Mar Road, Darfield, who was fatally injured in a road accident at Shroggs Head, Darfield, on Oct. 19th. The child had just left school when he was knocked down by a van belonging to W. and R. Jacobs, Ltd., biscuit manufacturers, of Liverpool. The jury exonerated from blame the school teacher, Miss Clayton, and the van driver, but added to the rider: “We feel that where there is a large number of children leaving school further precautions might be taken for their supervision.”

The inquest was conducted by the District Coroner, Mr. C. J. Haworth. Mr. Rex Walker represented Miss Clayton.

The father gave evidence of identification, and said the boy was healthy and very active. He did not see the child after the accident until his death in the hospital.

Constance Mary Clayton, 17, Edward Street, Darfield, assistant mistress at Shroggs Head Infants’ School, said John Marples attended that school. At 4 p.m. on Oct. 19th she went to the gate at the time of the departure of the children to see them safe across the road and to put some on the ’bus. The school was situated at the end of School Street. Deceased had got within a yard of the pavement on the other side of the road, and witness was standing at the gate holding the other children back, when he was knocked down. John had crossed the road by himself, though it was usual for the children to wait for her signalling them to go.

She first noticed the child in the middle of the road, making his way towards the pavement, but before he could do so a van came along School Street towards Doncaster Road. Deceased was then walking with his back to the van, with the back caught him in the middle of the back, knocked him down, and one wheel went over him. The van stopped immediately; deceased was underneath, but the van was not on top of him. The driver of a car near by picked the boy up. Deceased was not unconscious. He was taken to Dr. Castle’s surgery and afterwards to Beckett Hospital.

The Coroner: Was the van going slowly?—Yes, sir.
And did not the driver see the boy?—I cannot say.
Is the street narrow?—Not particularly.
You saw the van coming?—Yes.
How far away was it when you saw it?—Perhaps ten yards. I think possibly the driver thought the child would have crossed the road when he got there.
The driver: Do you think ten yards would be a good estimate?—Witness: Yes.

How far would the van be when this little boy began to run across the street?—He walked; the van was near the telegraph pole.
Mr. Walker: How many children would there be coming from school?—Witness: About 70 altogether. I was standing with my back to the road watching the children with my arms stretched out. When I drop my arms it is a signal for the children to run across, but I did not see deceased commence to cross. I have since heard that the child was slightly deaf.

Would there be considerable noise?—There was.
The Coroner: I have no doubt there would be with 70 children about.

Slightly On The Run

Elizabeth Oxley Firth, wife of Joseph Firth, colliery banksman, of 118, New Street, Darfield, said she was standing a couple of yards from the school gates on Thursday afternoon when she saw the infants coming. She saw deceased half way across the street and she made a noise to attract his attention. Miss Clayton was at the time standing with her arms stretched. The child Marples walked straight, but he was partly turned. The van was coming along very slowly, but it caught the child before he reached the footpath.

Coroner: Why didn’t the van avoid him?—I think it was the slowness of the child in getting across.
Coroner: The child as a right to go across the road slowly, it was up to the driver to see him.
Witness: The boy was taking fairly big strides.
The driver: He seemed to be slightly on the run, sir.
Coroner (to driver): Do you want to give evidence?—Yes, sir.

Driver’s Evidence

The driver, Joe Clifford Harrison, of 36, Broadgate Walk, Horsforth, Leeds, said he was a motor driver for W. & R. Jacobs, biscuit manufacturers, Liverpool. He was driving a 30-cwt. Dennis van on Thursday afternoon as the children were leaving school.

“I knew the school was there, and I have always been very careful,” proceeded witness. “This little boy seemed to come from nowhere and was against the off-side of the front of the car when I saw him, and he went in front of it. My near side wheel caught him and went over him.”

Coroner: How far did you travel from the first time you saw him to stopping?—Not above two yards, sir. The boy seemed to be walking on a slant, coming slightly towards me. Had he been going straight no doubt I should have escaped him.
What speed were you travelling?—Not more than six miles an hour. I had just called at a shop and was moving off.
What width is School Street?—Not more than 21 feet.
Which, of course, does not give you much room?—No, sir.

The Coroner: Would the father like to ask the driver any questions?
Mr. Marples: I am quite satisfied with the evidence I have heard so far.

Dr. Sibbald, house surgeon at Beckett Hospital, described the injuries, which were consistent with being run over.

Exonerated

Addressing the jury, the Coroner said that as one went about they could see how difficult it was to escape mishaps of this character. Miss Clayton had told them she did not see the little boy start to cross the road, but saw him when he was half way across, and they could quite understand with such a lot of youngsters about, this could quite easily happen. The driver knew the street well and was travelling very slowly. It was shown that when the accident occurred he pulled up promptly.