Leeds Mercury – Tuesday 06 November 1917

Alarming Mishap at Goldthorpe.
One Child Killed and Many Injured.

The story of a strange mishap to a party potato pickers was told at the inquest at Goldthorpe yesterday.

On Saturday evening a farm waggon containing thirty-seven girls and boys was conveying them to their homes at Goldthorpe after their day work at the Marr Hall Farm, near Doncaster, tenanted Mr. Thomas Harrison.

Whilst passing through Marr Wood, a plantation on the estate of Mr. Charles Thellusson, of Brodsworth Hall, the horses took fright at the appearance of a donkey and swerved to the left, completely overturning the waggon and flinging it down the slope at the roadside.

All the occupants of the waggon were imprisoned underneath, but were quickly extricated by the driver, George Carroll, and others. One boy, Henry Dickinson, aged twelve, 84. Main-street, Goldthorpe, had been caught by the neck under the side of the waggon, and was probably killed instantly. His sister. Ellen Dickinson, aged twenty two, had both her arms broken. A girl, named Fudge, also had her arms broken. Clara Eades, eighteen, had her left arm broken. Sarah Myford, thirteen, sustained internal injuries; whilst most of the other occupants suffered from bruises and shock.

The party was conveyed ,to Goldthorpe by motor, where they were attended by Dr. Morris.

The inquest on Dickinson was held, at Goldthorpe, yesterday, and the story of the mishap was told by Ellen Dickinson, Verona Child, who was suffering from a sprained wrist, and the driver of the waggon.

The Coroner complimented Ellen Dickinson for her courage and fortitude in attending to give evidence with both her arms broken.

A verdict of Accidental death was returned, and the Coroner was requested to draw the attention of the authorities to the dangerous condition of the road through Marr Wood on account of the lack of protection from the long and deep slope, which falls away.