Andrew Corby died, aged 52, on February 1st, 1888, from injuries sustained in an accident on 24th January at Denton’s, Rushden. The inquest was held in the Vestry Hall, Rushden, before J. T. Parker, Divisional Coroner, and a Rushden jury, on 3rd February 1888. They viewed the body, and then went to inspect the machinery at the place where the accident occurred.
James Bennett: I am a currier, employed by Denton and Sons, Curriers and Shoe Manufacturers. On Tuesday, 24th of last month, I was in the shaving room, shortly before 2, o'clock. Mr. Corby had looked round the shop, and was about to commence splitting hides. For this purpose, he adjusted a strap connected to the shaft which drives the machine. While he was doing this, the belt slipped off the wheel on to the shaft, and was carried round swiftly, by the spindle revolving. The strap formed a loop, and in endeavouring to stop the strap from swinging round, his am was caught in the loop. He was drawn on to the shaft, and carried round at least once. He was dashed to the ground near the machine. His left fore-arm fell to the floor in another direction. He had been doing this work for some years, and the strap had got in that condition a few times, but the engine was always stopped to put the strap right.
Coroner: Was he a careful man?
Bennett: He was a very careful man, and often cautioned the men under him to take the greatest care in dealing with the machinery. I saw him on Friday, and he did not say anyone was to blame. He cautioned me how to act in the future,
Frederick Corby, son of the deceased man, gave evidence.
Dr. Owen: I was called to the deceased on 24th January. I was out when the accident occurred, and he was first attended by Dr. Crew. I found his left arm torn, just below the elbow. Amputation was performed the same evening. He went on well, until Sunday, when secondary fever set in, from which he died on the 1st. He told me that the band slipped off the wheel on to the spindle, and in attempting to hook the strap with his left hand, he was caught up by the strap.....
The inquest verdict was "Accidental Death, with a recommendation to Mr. Denton to partially encase the strapping.
Note: one of the Factory Acts, ordering dangerous machinery to be "fenced" had been in force for over 40 years.
Andrew Corby's brother, a few weeks after this, died suddenly during a service at the Rushden Baptist Church.
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