Fatal Fall From a Tree Inquest on Rushden Lad A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned by the Northampton Coroner on Saturday at the inquest on Leonard Richard Hilson, aged 15, a painter, of 6, Bedford-road Cottages, Rushden, whose death at Northampton Hospital the day before followed a fall from a tree in Rushden Hall grounds on the previous Sunday. Ronald Edward Clarke, clicker, of 29, Trafford-road, Rushden, said that just after six o’clock on Sunday night he saw Hilson in Rushden Hall grounds, and making their way towards the bandstand, they saw three other lads looking at a pear tree. Hilson climbed the tree to a height of about 20 feet, and fell from one branch to another and then to the ground. Hilson went up to try to get some pears. Witness fetched the boy’s father, and a doctor was sent for. Branch Snapped Eric Howard Lumbers, clicker, 27, Albion-place, Rushden, said he was one of three youths near the tree when Hilson and Clarke came up. Hilson went up the tree 20 to 25 feet, and a branch against which he was leaning snapped and he fell to the ground. A doctor was sent for, and took the lad to Northampton Hospital. No one else went up the tree. Dr. Hilda Mary Dean, house surgeon at Northampton Hospital, said that when admitted about 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, Hilson was conscious, but very shocked. There was a large swelling on the stomach, also a fracture of the right forearm. He was operated upon later in the evening, and was placed in an oxygen tent on Wednesday, but after being unconscious for two days, passed away at 1.40 a.m. on Friday. Death was due to a ruptured stomach and complications arising from that injury. A Lofty Tree Thomas Elijah Roberts of Park Gate House, 20, High Street South, Rushden, park-keeper for the Rushden Council, said he was at tea when the accident happened, and did not learn of the incident until 7.20 p.m. It was his duty to look after children and the trees, and he knew boys had climbed this pear tree, which was the only one in that part of the park. It was an old and rather lofty tree. Notices warning boys from climbing the trees had been ordered before the accident, but had not arrived. William Ernest Hilson, shoe operative, father of the boy, gave evidence of identification, and the Coroner came to the conclusion that death was due to a ruptured stomach, caused by an accidental fall. He voiced his sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. In addition to his parents the deceased lad leaves one younger brother. He had attended the South End School, Rushden, and more recently had been employed by Messrs. Timpson Bros., painters, of Rushden. He was attended to by Dr. B. W. Paine, of Rushden, who took him to hospital in his car. ………………… Local Obituary Mr. L. R. Hilson, Rushden Following an accident in Rushden Hall Grounds, the death took place in Northampton General Hospital on Friday last of Leonard Richard Hilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Wilson, of 6, Park-cottages, Rushden. Aged 15, he was a native of Irthlingborough and came to Rushden at the age of seven. The funeral service was held at the cemetery chapel on Monday, the service being conducted by the Rev. J. P. S. Mathers (curate of St. Peter’s). The principal mourners were Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hilson (father and mother), Mrs. L. Hilson and Mrs. R. Sherwood (grandmothers), Mrs. E. Goode and Master L. Hilson (aunt and brother), Mr. J. Clarke and Mr. S. Clarke (uncles), Mr. H. Clarke and Mr. H. Hilson (uncles), Mrs. K. Osborne and Mr. A. J. Hilson (uncle and aunt), Miss E. Hilson and Mrs. F. Anderson (aunts), Mrs. C. Clarke and Mrs. S. Clarke. Mr. Fred Bayes carried out the funeral arrangements.