An elderly man crossing the main road at the foot of Higham-hill, Rushden, on Saturday evening was knocked down by an American Army lorry and died a few minutes later. Inquest evidence heard on Monday showed that the accident occurred during intense darkness, the driver seeing nothing of the man until the last moment. The Coroner (Mr. J. C. Parker), who held his inquiry at the Police Station, had no hesitation in absolving the driver from all blame.

Mr. Harry William Travill, aged 73, a retired boot operative, of 29, North-street, Rushden, was the victim of the accident.

At the inquest George Edward Travill, of 29, North-street, Rushden, son of deceased, stated that he was at home when his father left the house at about 6.40. His father told him he was going out to get some tobacco – presumably from Mr. Chettle’s shop in Higham-road. He was in his usual health, and his hearing and eyesight were extraordinarily good for a man of his age. It was a very dark night. He was informed of the accident about 7.10.

Dr. B. W. Paine, of Rushden, said he was informed of the accident, and went to a spot between Hayway and Washbrook-road, where he saw deceased, who was then alive, but in a dying condition. Travill died shortly after he arrived, and was afterwards taken to the mortuary, where he was found to have sustained a fracture at the base of the skull, and an extensive scalp wound, while there was evidence of a fracture of the pelvis. These injuries were compatible with his having been knocked down by something heavy.

Driver’s Evidence

Charles Edward Dawson, a private in the U.S. Army, stated that he was driving a 2½-ton lorry from the direction of Higham Ferrers towards Bedford. He was driving down Higham Hill at about 20 miles per hour on the proper side of the road. All the regulation lights were on, and were all in good condition. When he had passed the Hayway turn he saw a man heading from the right hand side of the road towards the left. He did not see him leave the kerb. He hit him just as he saw him, and it was impossible to avoid him. He stopped the lorry (which had a left-hand drive) at once, and found deceased lying near the right-hand front wheel, which, however, had not gone over him. He saw deceased was badly injured, and the police and doctor were sent for.

The Coroner: Is your eyesight good? I see you wear glasses?

Witness: It is supposed to be up to par with glasses.

Supt. Williams: You didn’t see him until he got into the beam of your headlight? – Witness: No.

Do you know what part of the vehicle got him? – We couldn’t find a mark. It might have been the fender that struck him.

Officer’s Statement

While Dawson was giving his evidence, an American officer, Captain Taylor arrived, and mentioned that under the Articles of War witness was not compelled to give testimony. He added that Dawson had a constitutional right not to give testimony that would incriminate him.

The Coroner: In the ordinary way, if I had thought there was any necessity I would have warned him myself, but I did not think there was.

Dawson: I will go on.

The Coroner: Yes, I thought you would.

Second Lieut. Howard Wm. Stevens, of the U.S. Army, said that he was seated on the right hand side of Dawson. The first he saw of the man was when he was coming from the right hand side of the road. He seemed to be very confused, and ran into the right hand front end of the truck, from which he was only four or five feet away when witness first saw him.

He could imagine how a man could be confused and mistake the truck lights for street lights. The driver could have done nothing to avoid the man. He had slowed down the truck considerably in coming down the hill, and was already in a lower gear, and the fact that it had been stopped in one length showed that the truck was under control.

The man was short, and it was hard to see him because of the high radiator. There were no other vehicles about.

Heard Shouts

Percy Wm. Bridgment, of 15, Spencer-road, Rushden, said he was crossing the top of Washbrook-road from High-street to Spencer-road when he suddenly heard a crash in the direction of the bottom of Higham Hill. He heard shouts and saw the lights of a stationary vehicle which had been coming from the direction of Higham Ferrers.

He went to the spot at once, and saw Mr. Travill with his head towards the left hand kerb, apparently pinned by the front right hand wheel by his arm. He could see that the injuries were serious and he went to a telephone kiosk and telephoned the police, also sending for Dr. Paine.

Being a special constable, he directed the traffic for some time. It was a very dark night and very dangerous for an old man to walk about in. There was no other traffic about at the time.

P.C. Skells, of Rushden, said he was on duty at the Police Station, Rushden, when he was informed of the accident. He proceeded to the spot and saw the lorry on the left hand side of the road, 1ft. 6in. from the kerb. Mr. Travill was lying on his back.

Supt. Williams said there was a pedestrian crossing nearby, but it was not controlled.

The Coroner, in entering a verdict of “Accidental Death,” said that no blame whatever was attached to the driver of the vehicle.