South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 25 July 1942

Boy Drowned In Pond

“Death Trap” Says Goldthorpe Constable

“This place is a death trap,” said P.c. Hayward at a Goldthorpe inquest on Tuesday on Cyril Beddoes (8), son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Beddoes, of 126, High Street. Goldthorpe, who was drowned while flishing in Goldthorpe Brickpond on Saturday.

The Doncaster District Coroner (Mr. W. H. Carlile) recorded a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

Laurence Hopper (12 ½ ) of 4, Orchard Street, Goldthorpe, said at the Brickpond they fished from a ledge, with witness in the middle and Beddoes on his left. He did not see what Cyril was doing because he was helping Walters, when Roy shouted and he saw Cyril fall in. He tried to grab him but could not.

The Coroner: Why did you tell me untruths? In your statement to the police you said you saw Beddoes stand up, lean over, and then slip in. What is the truth?

The boy then repeated what he had told the police. There were about six boys he said, and they held a stick out to Beddoes but he could not reach it.

Coroner: Did anybody push him? —No.

Why do you go there? It is dangerous and you have no right there.

Walters, who is nine, said Hopper first suggested going to the brick pond and later Beddoes asked them to go. Cyril was putting a fish in a can and fell backwards. He had his back to the water.

P.c. Hayward said there were marks on the bank where he had fallen in, and there was a small crevice where a boy might catch his foot. The body was recovered about eight o’clock. The pond was 45 feet deep, and was a death trap. The boys had no right there, and the police were continually sending people away.

The Coroner said he hoped this would be a warning for a long time to come to other boys to keep away.