South Yorkshire Times, February 28, 1942

“Misadventure ”

Verdict in Wombwell Tragedy

A verdict of ”Death by Misadventure was returned at the inquest at Barnsley yesterday on Fred Shepherd miner, of 29 Blythe Street, Wombwell, who died in Barnsley Beckett Hospital on Monday. February 16th a few hours after collapsing at his home.

Three other persons were affected by what was thought to be an escape of gas.

At yesterday’s enquiry a doctor said be considered that gas poisoning was a contributory cause of Shepherd’s death.

Annie Shepherd, widow, told the Coroner (Mr. C. J. Haworth) that on February 16th she got up about 8 a.m. and smelt gas. She opened the front door. When her husband came down he also complained of the smell. Witness added that later she went upstairs and about five minutes later heard her husband groan. Returning to the kitchen she found him lying on the settee. He was vomiting, but not able to speak. Dr. Dickinson ordered his removal to hospital. He was then unconscious.

Dr. H. E. McLaughlin, who had conducted a post-mortem examination, said the cause of death was ademia of the lungs caused by cardiac trouble. The condition of the blood and the general appearance of the body externally suggested gas poisoning. In his opinion this was a contributory cause of death.

Frederick Thomas Hatswell, gasworks engineer and manager, 31, Lundhill Road, Wombwell, said he was notified of a smell of gas at 91, Blythe Road, Wombwell, between 9.10 and 10 a.m. on February 16th. They found a cross fracture in the gas main opposite No. 91. In his opinion the fracture was due to ground movement caused by subsidence. The pipe was in good condition and there would have been no fracture but for the ground movements.

Mr. H. M. Walker (Clerk to the Wombwell U.D.C.): At first there was no intimation that anyone was affected by gas? Witness: No.

Walker: It has appeared in the Press that we were notified that people had been affected?

Witness: There was no mention of anyone being affected until 12 o’clock.

Answering further questions. Mr. Hatswell said “I think the gas took the line of least resistance. and followed along the gas and water service tracks, entering the cellars of both houses.