Rushdcn Old Lady's Death in Hospital

A verdict of accidental death was entered by the Northampton Coroner (Mr. A. J. Darnell) at his Northampton Hospital on Wednesday into the death in that institution on Tuesday morning of Sarah Jane Layram aged 84, widow of George Layram, and residing at 34, Wellingborough-road, Rushden.

Mr. J. Faulkner Stops represented the War Department  and the driver of a motor cycle involved in the accident, and Inspector Valentine was present on behalf of the County Police.

William Alfred Cooper Layram, of 93, Irchester-road. Rushden, son of the deceased, gave evidence of identification, and said his mother was very active for her years. She was perhaps a little deaf, but considerlng her age her eyesight was good.

Gladys Range, nurse, of 145, Wellingborough-road, Rushden, said that at 4.45 p.m. on March 13th she was walking along High-street, Rushden, and saw an old lady leave the kerb apparently without looking. She came from just outside Mr Wankelyn's shop. A number of Army motor cycles were coming along at the time and making a good deal of noise, when Mrs, Layram left the kerb. The leading member of the motor cycle group did all she could to avoid the accident putting on her brakes, swerving and pulling up  almost immediately could not, however, avoid a collision and the old lady was hurled into the air and fell, in witness's opinion hit her chin on the kerb. Witness went to her assistance, and with the help of the dispatch rider, who stopped the machine, took the injured lady into Mr Wanklyn’s shop.

The motor cyclists were driving slowly and the machines were on the proper side of the road. In witness view no blame attached to the cyclist.

In answer to Mr Stops, she said the cycle was two or three feet from its near side. There was a pedestrian crossing a few yards away.

Badly cut tongue

P.C. H. H. Tebbey, Rushden, said he found Mrs. Layram lying injured on the floor of Mr. Wanklyn’s shop where she had been taken. She was conscious, but had her tongue severely lacerated, and made no comment upon the incident. He took a statement from the driver of the cycle, Corporal Leaberry, who said that she was one of a convoy of six proceedingat about 15 miles an hour, and that when she saw the old lady step off the kerb she did all she could to avoid an accident, but without success.

Dr. I. V. Hankins, house surgeon gave evidence that the injured woman was admitted to the hospital on March 13^th. She was conscious but had an extensive lacertation to her tongue and small wound on her chin and elbow. An operation was performed, the tongue being cleaned and stitched, and she improved for a time, but from the 15th steadily deteriora­ted and died at 7.50 a.m. on the 21^st. Death was due to myo-cardial degeneration accelerated by the shock and injuries.

The Coroner accepted this view and attached no blame to anyone. He expressed his sympathy with the relatives, a sentiment which was endorsed by Mr Stops on behalf of the driver.