Accident—William Howard, labourer, of Podington, is a patient at Northampton Hospital suffering from a broken leg caused by an accident. A motor driven in the employ of Messrs H W Chapman Ltd., cardboard box manufacturers, Wellingborough, saw the lad lying helpless by the side of the road. He kindly conveyed him for attention to a Wellingborough doctor, and afterwards to the Northampton Hospital.

Fatal Accident at Hinwick - Podington Youth’s Sad Death – The Inquest
William Howard aged 17, of Podington, died on Friday last in the Northampton Hospital, where he had been, as the result of an accident on April 4th.

Howard was an orphan, and was adopted by and worked for Mr Norman, of Podington, a carter. Deceased was carting timber to Wellingborough L and N W Railway Station on April 4th, and was all right at nine o’clock, but later in the day was discovered on the road in Hinwick Hall Lane by Miss Seamark, who was driving a motor for Mr Chapman, box maker, of Wellingborough. He was taken to Dr. Richardson, and then removed to Northampton with injuries to the leg.

The Inquest
The Borough Coroner (Mr A J Darnell) held an inquest at the Northampton General Hospital on Saturday.

George Leonard Norman, carter, of Podington (who gave evidence of identification), said that deceased was an orphan adopted by his (witness’s) father, and witness employed him as a labourer. On April 4th he sent him with a trolley-load of timber from Podington to the L and N W Station at Wellingborough. He last saw him alive about 9 o’clock on that morning, when he assisted deceased up a hill with a chain horse. Witness heard of the accident on arrival at Wellingborough. Deceased was found on the road by a lady motorist, and conveyed to Dr Richardson, who advised his removal to the Northampton Hospital. The horse deceased was in charge of was a very quite one, and was found at the time of the accident standing near him.

Frederick William Norman, 44, Milton-street, Northampton, stated he had known deceased for twelve years. He visited him at the Hospital, and deceased gave an account of the accident. Deceased said he was going down an incline (which is three-quarters of a mile long), and on nearing the bottom the horse stepped out rather more quickly, and he (deceased), who was riding on the trolley, made an effort to apply the brake and slipped off, the trolley going over his knee.

Fanny Jane Clerk, nurse at the Hospital, corroborated the evidence of the last witness as to the statement made by Deceased.

Dr Shah, house surgeon at the Hospital, deposed that Howard was suffering from a severe injury to his left knee, which was in a dirty state. An operation was performed, and afterwards blood-poisoning set in, necessitating the amputation of the limb. Deceased died about twelve hours after the amputation. Death was due to septic poisoning, brought on by the dirty state of the wound.

The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, sympathy being extended to the foster-parents and friends.

Mr F W Norman stated that he visited the lad a number of times, and spoke very highly of the treatment he received.