Thomas SUMNER

  Death Notes:

Friday, August 1, 1890.

FATALITY TO A SAWYER AT THE
WIGAN WAGGON WORKS.
At the Infirmary, on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. C. Cronshaw, deputy borough coroner, held an inquest concerning the death of Thomas Sumner, of Lower Ince, which occurred at the Infirmary after an accident sustained at the works of the Wigan Waggon Company, on the 20th of May last. Mr. Brewer, Government inspector, and Mr. T. Stuart, who appeared on behalf of the company, were present during the inquiry.
John Sumner, Manchester-road, Higher Ince, pattern maker, said deceased was his father, who lived in Marsden-street, Lower Ince. He was a sawyer, and was 68 years of age. Witness saw his father after the accident, and he told him that he slipped and fell on the saw.
Edward Knowles, 270, Ince Green-lane, Lower Ince, under foreman at the Wigan Waggon Works at Ince, said he saw the deceased about three minutes before the accident. Deceased was engaged as a carpenter, but he was working at a circular saw. He was sawing some logs about 7 ft. long, and witness afterwards saw him holding his right hand with his left. Blood was running down, and he asked him what had happened. Deceased said he had slipped against the saw.
By Mr. Brewer: There was no gaurd over the saw itself. Witness had never seen a fence over a circular saw for purpose of protection.
There was no direct evidence as to how the deceased got on the saw, as the accident was seen by no one.
Dr. E. C. Lomas, senior house surgeon, said deceased was admitted on the 20th May suffering from compound fracture of the right arm. On the 17th July it was found necessary to amputate the arm. He did fairly well for a few days, but sank and died from exhaustion on the 23rd July.
A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.
Mr. Brewer said there were efficient saw guards which would prevent any accident of that sort if adopted. He would like the company to adopt them.
Mr. Stuart said any saw guards which could be adopted sufficiently well to carry on their work would be adopted, and anything which could be done to protect the workpeople, he had the authority of Mr. Seddon, the manager of the works, for saying, would be done.

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Thomas married Ellen ODGON Mar qtr 1844 in Wigan 21 494. (Ellen ODGON was born about 1823 in Wigan, Lancashire and died in Mar 1896 in Wigan 8c 49.)