Western Mail Wednesday May 7th 1924.
Nineteen loaded coal trucks careering wildly and uncontrolled down the gradient leading to
No.1 coal tip on the west side of the Bute East Dock provided a thrill for workers at
Cardiff Docks on Tuesday morning. They had broken loose from a train, and were travelling
towards the tip at a tremendous pace. Meanwhile at the tip itself loading was in
operation, and a full truck of coal was on the cradle ready for tipping into the steamship
Most, which was lying under the tip. Fortunately, the topman, Arthur WICK, saw the runaway
trucks careering towards the tip, and with commendable coolness, he did the only thing
which could prevent the smashing of the barrier, and possibly the hurtling of the wagons
into the hold of the steamer. He lifted the cradle containing the full truck to a higher
stage, and he had no sooner succeeded in doing so than the runaway trucks crashed into the
tip.
There was a terrific roar as they thundered into the standards of the tip and the first
seven trucks went crashing down between the standards, thus making a block upon which the
others piled up. In lifting the cradle, WICK, the topman undoubtedlty saved the man who
was upon the cradle from serious injury, if not from death.
The Newport coroner, Mr W.Lyndon MOORE, D.L., held an inquest on Tuesday on Inan
Fitzgerald BAYNES 27, a native of Jamacia, a married man of 168, Corporation-road, who was
the third victim of the accident in the River Usk at Newport on Easter Monday night , when
a small rowing boat laden with coal was swamped. The body was recovered from the river on
Sunday last by William NORMAN, an ironworker of Riverside. Thomas Melville HENSON, the
only survivor, a brother-in-law of the deceased gave evidence of identification. The
Coroner, in returning a verdict of "Accidentally drowned," said that there was
no need to go into details again as an exhaustive inquiry had been held into the
circumstances of the accident on Thursday last.
A verdict of "Death from natural causes" was returned at an inquest held at New
Tredegar on Tuesday on the body of Mary Ann HYNAM, 53, a widow, who was found dead in bed
by her daughter at Cwmsyfiog on Friday. Dr. BUCKLEY, who conducted a post mortem
examination, said that there were signs of degeneration of the heart.
Mr. W.R. DAUNCEY held an inquest at Tredegar on Tuesday on Harold WATTS,18, of 88,
Charles-street, Tredegar, an underground engine-driver. Mr. A.J. PROSSER (Messrs. Kenshole
and Prosser, Aberdare) represented the Tredegar Company. Frederick MORRIS, of 92,
Vale-terrace, said he was in charge of the night shift on Friday,and told WATTS to go and
drive a small haulage engine. A considerable time later witness heard the boy shouting. He
found him in the side, where he said he was suffocating and could not get his breath.
Witness loosened all his clothes, ran for help, and the boy was sent to hospital at once.
Eric THOMAS, an ambulance man in the colliery, said the boy told him that he rubbed
against a tram in passing it on Saturday. Dr. E.T.H. DAVIES said that death was due to
advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. Rubbing against a tram would not have had anything at all
to do with the cause of death. The boy's sister said the boy had, previous to
commencing
work, been in a sanatorium for six months. A
verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence was returned.
A verdict of "Suicide whilst of temporarily unsound mind" was returned at the
inquest on Gwyn BISHOP, the Caerphilly youth, whose body was found in the Watford
Reservoir on Saturday. The father Henry Herbert BISHOP, said he was sleeping with his son
on Thursday night, and about two a.m. on Friday his boy got up and said he was going out.
Witness tried to prevent him, as he had been ill for three months suffering from nervous
breakdown, but the lad got away. Witness went out immediately after him and at once sought
the aid of the Police. Dr. SAVAGE said he attended the boy for nervous breakdown, but he
had not detected any signs that would justify him certifying him insane. The Coroner: You
have to be careful because of the HARNETT case?-Yes. Witness added he would not be
justified in certifying in this case.
John Patrick