The Death of Walter John Dale of Bicester (1909, Oxfordshire)

In April 1909, an inquest was held into the death of 24 year old Walter John Dale of Bicester.

Mr Dale was a coal-merchant who had worked alongside his father, William Dale, for 5 years. As a sideline, Walter would take in horses to break to harness - something which William said that he very much enjoyed.

On the morning of his death, Walter had driven a horse and cart laden with coal to Mr Jaggers' yard, and then on to Priory Stables to fetch another horse and cart to take two loads to Bucknell. The second horse had been purchased 5 weeks previously, and was nearly 4 years of age. They'd driven it 3 times so far, and it had been 'perfectly quiet'.

Coachman Alfred Stone of Priory Road deposed that he knew the deceased well, and that he'd witnessed Walter putting the horse to the cart at about 8.30am. As Stone stood chatting to a neighbour, he heard a commotion, and the sound of hooves coming towards them, although he couldn't be sure as to whether it was walking or trotting. Stone heard Walter shout "woah!". Stone looked over to see that Walter was struggling to control the young and inexperienced horse, who had quite clearly taken fright.

Mr Stone approached and attempted to assist, but the horse was far too spooked. Walter was now running alongside the horse, and Stone looked on in horror as the young man was crushed between the horse and the wall which stood opposite the neighbour's cottage.

Stone yelled at Walter to let go of the reins, but it was too late; the hub of the wheel connected with the wall, bringing it down, and the momentum carried Walter a little further, at which point he fell. Stone rushed over to Walter, who was lying in a heap on the ground. He noticed that the deceased was bleeding from his chin and cheek, and was alive but unconscious.

Stone sent for the doctor and police, and when the police arrived, they began to wash the blood from Walter's face. Walter asked them where he was, and appeared confused. Doctor Hendricks arrived around 20 minutes later, and proceeded to examine Walter; he had a very large, deep gash in his jaw, and another on his left cheek. He also noticed from the angle of his head that his neck was broken. There was air beneath the skin and multiple broken ribs, indicating that both lungs had been punctured.

Poor Walter Dale succumbed to his injuries shortly afterwards, and the jury returned a verdict of 'accidental death'.

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