SHARNBROOK
INQUEST—On the 24th inst., an inquest was held before Mr. M. Whyley, coroner, at the Railway Hotel, Sharnbrook, on the body of James Shirley, aged 46. Deceased was employed under Mr. Jas. Oliver, contractor for the widening-work of the Midland Railway between Bedford and Rushden, and while engaged in filling a waggon with earth, he was knocked down by a fall of soil from the side of the cutting in which he was standing. The weight of the debris was estimated at two cwt., but the man was so injured, that although quickly extricated, he died shortly afterwards. Mr. A. Watts, surgeon met the body as it was being carried away, and on examining it, found a double fracture of the right thigh, the upper one being compound, and the bone protruding through the flesh. The femoral artery was ruptured, and death was brought on with greater rapidity on account of the excessive haemorrhage. Deceased was a stranger to the district, and it was not known where he came from.— A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.