Irchester Man’s Sudden Death
Heart Failure While Delivering Goods
Collapse at Rushden Factory

An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death on Friday of Mr Charles Edward Neal, of Irchester, a drayman in the employ of the L.M.S., was held by the Deputy Coroner (Mr J C Parker) at the Rushden Police Station, on Monday.

Dr R H McCabe said that on Friday at about 5.15pm he saw the deceased at the factory of Messrs. Fred Knight Ltd, in Park-road, Rushden. Neal had been dead only a few minutes. Witness had previously attended deceased, the last time being in March 1929, when deceased was suffering from rupture. From his knowledge of deceased, witness knew of nothing to indicate the cause of death. Witness carried out a post-mortem examination on Saturday, and found that the cause of death was that the blood vessels supplying the heart had thickened and in places were almost closed. In one of the principal arteries there was a loose body, part of the chalky substance in the wall of the artery having become loose in the circulation. Death was due to the sudden blockage of the artery.

[the witnesses gave evidence and a verdict of death in accordance with medical evidence was declared]

Mr Neal had been at the Rushden station ever since its opening 37 years ago and previously to that served for three years at the Irchester station. His home was at Irchester, where he lived in West-street, with his sister. He was highly respected in both towns and the tradespeople of Rushden especially will feel the loss, for in his deliveries he had a cheerful word for everyone.