Fatal Accident at Rushden
An inquest was held at the "Waggon and Horses" on Wednesday, before Mr. J. T. Parker, coroner, on the body of Walter Moore, carpenter, whose death took place the previous day, resulting from an accident that occurred on the 23rd ult.

William Goodwin, plasterer, said he was working at some cottages near where the accident happened, and saw the deceased, Thomas Willmot, and two sons of the latter loading a tree belonging to Mr. Moore. One tree had been taken away, and they were getting up another on to the timber carriage, when one of the skids broke. They then tried to hoist the tree on to the carriage, when it slipped, falling upon Moore and one of Willmot's sons, each of whom had a leg broken. He heard Moore say that if the tree had been let right down, as he wished, the accident would not have happened.

Charles Clark, roadman, saw the accident. Willmot called to him to render assistance after the skid broke, and they were trying to weigh down the smaller end of the tree, when it slipped, falling on the injured men.

Thomas Willmot, contractor, was employed on the day in question moving trees for Mr. Moore. They had moved one tree, and were loading a second, when the skid broke, letting the butt end of the tree to the ground, forcing the small end of the tree up towards the timber carriage, where it remained resting on the rear skid. Moore asked whether they should let the tree down and make a fresh start, but they thought by firmly chaining the small end of the tree to the opposite wheel it would be practicable to lever the butt end on to the carriage. He called Clark to assist him, and they had nearly completed loading, when the rear skid broke, letting the small end of the tree down upon the deceased and his son. The broken skids belonged to deceased, but he (Willmot) had used them a great many times, for much heavier timber, and had no reason to suppose they were not strong enough.

Dr. C. R. Owen (in partnership with Dr. Crew), residing at Rushden, stated that he was called to the scene of the accident, and found Moore lying on the ground, suffering from a compound comminuted fracture of the right leg, both bones projecting through the skin. He assisted to get the injured man home, and in consultation with Dr. Crew, decided that amputation would be necessary. To this Moore objected, but ultimately consented after being seen by Dr. Goldsmith, of Bedford. Amputation was made the same evening, but nine or ten hours after the accident, the deceased in the meantime being weakened by further loss of blood. He progressed satisfactorily until Sunday last, when tetanus set in, resulting in death on Tuesday.

The Coroner thought it would be impossible to attribute blame to anyone in connection with the accident, and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

At the close of the inquiry a very strong opinion was expressed by the jury that inquests should be held in future in the Vestry-hall instead of at a public-house. The Coroner said the Vestry-hall had not occurred to him until after his orders had been issued. It was hoped that the parish constables would in future bear it in mind.