Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 03 September 1921

Mr. J. Kenyon Parker held an inquest at, the Carnegie Library, Swinton, on Tuesday, into the death of Percy Whitham (35), a cripple, who lived at the Kilnhurst lock house and died on Monday of injuries suffered in a fall down the Red Lion steps at Mexborough, on August 24.

Sarah Whitham, mother of the deceased, in giving evidence of identification said her son had taken to drink lately. Many years ago he suffered an accident on the railway and his leg was amputated. He had been unable to work since and could walk by the help of crutches. Recently, she added, her son had got in with the “wrong set” and had drunk heavily.

Wm. Russell, a discharged soldier, also minus a leg, of 6 Charles St, Kilnhurst, spoke to being with Whitham on the day of the accident. He met him in Mexborough about noon, and Whitham invited him to go and have a drink. They went to the Red Lion, in Bank Street and was there until closing time.

Deceased had four or five pints of beer to drink. They took a walk round the market until six o’clock, and then to the same public house. Here they stopped until closing time again. Deceased had another four or five pints. When they left the inn, deceased said he was going for some fish and chips, and left witness, who heard nothing more of him until after the accident. Deceased was sober: he could “stand” four or five pints of beer without being drunk. There was no quarrelling or fighting. He heard of the accident and went and saw deceased, who was lying at the bottom of the step, He was bleeding at the forehead. A doctor was called and afterwards Whitham was conveyed to a caravan on the Leach, and was taken home the next day.

Mr. S. Cooper, landlord of the Red Lion Hotel, said he knew Whitham. He had warned him on many occasions about using stone steps. There were lights at the top and bottom, but they were not very good. The steps were not fit for a crippled man to use.

Dr. Dewick, of Kilnhurst said he had attended deceased at his home since the accident. He had bruises under his right ear and on the right of the forehead: his right side was paralysed. He died without regaining consciousness. Death was due to concussion and shock.

The Coroner said he was not inclined to believe that deceased was not drunk.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.