CHAR-A-BANC FATALITY AT HOLLINGWORTH
Godley Man's Fate
A well-known Godley man, John Harrison, who resided in Fountain-street, met his death shortly after six o'clock on Whit-Friday at Millbrook, Hollingworth. The circumstances were inquired into on Tuesday by the District Coroner (Mr A E Ferns at the Council Offices, Hollingworth.)

Fanny Harrison, a daughter of the deceased, residing at 43 Fountain-street, Godley. Stated that her father, who was 70 years of age, and employed as a gardener at Adamson's Longlands, left home on Friday morning for the purpose of joining a motor char-a-banc party to Woodhead. He had always been a healthy man and never been subject to dizziness and faintness.

Questioned by the Coroner, witness said her father never had had a bottle of medicine in his life as far as she knew. She heard on Friday night about half-past nine that he had met with an accident.

James Salmon, of Lawrence View, Hyde-road, Mottram, a motor driver, employed by james Riley, wholesale fruiterer, Hyde, deposed that he left the garage in Mottram-road for the purpose of picking up a party at the New Inn, Matley. He left this place at about 2.15 and had 27 passengers on and was taking them to drive to Woodhead and back. They called at the George and Dragon Inn, Crowden, where all the passengers got out while he went and towed into the yard a char-a-banc that had broken down and was on the roadside. He afterwards went inside the house and after remaining about five minutes resumed the journey to Woodhead, about four or five miles further on.

When they came back some of the passengers again got out at the George and Dragon Inn and went inside the house. They subsequently resumed the home journey, and all went well until they commenced to climb Millbrook Brow, just entering Hollingworth village when he changed gear. He was just doing so when someone shouted “stop” which he did immediately and was informed that the deceased had fallen out through standing up and overbalancing himself.

Answering the Coroner, witness said it was a four ton lorry, and with the passengers would be about 5½ tons. It was not the ordinary char-a-banc, but a commercial waggon with a jack-board and fitted with seats which were bolted down, and there was only a narrow parapet about two feet, and this is what deceased would have to fall over when he over-balanced. Witness had never noticed deceased, and no warning had been given to him at all.

The Coroner: What speed were you going at? – Witness: Eight to ten miles an hour.

Witness said he felt nothing, and that it would need something harder than deceased's head to make witness feel anything while driving.

Samuel Alkinson, 35 Market-street, Hyde , employed by James Riley, told a similar story, adding that deceased was sitting on the front row, and he would have to reach over.

The Coroner: Whoever was sitting there would know how he came to fall. Where were you? - On the third row behind him.

Witness saw deceased fall over and saw the wheel go over the top part of his head. Deceased was told to sit down.

The Coroner: Who by? - By me and several others, as we were going to pull up two or three hundred yards further on at the Organ Inn.

Had deceased had anything to drink? - Not to my knowledge. Was he perfectly sober? - I never saw him have any drink. He was to my knowledge

He was or was not? - He was sober.

Was there any larking? - Yes, a bit.

Was he taking any part in it? - No.

He didn't get up for that purpose at all? - No.

What is the height of the side of the car? - About two feet.

Further questioned, witness explained that the sides were a few inches above the level of the forms.

Was the road a bit rough? - Yes, a bit rough.

Did you notice any jerk of the car at the time he fell out? - No.

What caused him to overbalance? - I could not say.

Witness said it was a very heavy car or lurry, and had rubber tyres on the wheels.

The Coroner: It would run very slowly then, would it not? - Yes.

Constable Neal spoke to being called to the scene of the accident and finding Harrison lying in the roadway with his head crushed to a pulp

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.