Fatal Accident

An inquest was held on Saturday last, the 13th instant, before FH Gell, Esq, Coroner, on view of the body of William Pendel, aged 15 years, a bricklayer's labourer, employed upon the viaduct in Cuckfield and Balcombe, on the Brighton railway.

It appeared from, the evidence that, on Thursday last, about two o'clock, deceased was at No, 11 pier of the viaduct walking along a plank, upon the scaffolding, which suddenly slipped and he fell a distance of about 20 feet.

He came upon a grout box which stood underneath, and was immediately carried to his lodging, where, from the injuries received, he died at about five o’clock the same afternoon.

Verdict Accidental death.

Sussex Advertiser 15 June 1840

Photo: Balcombe Viaduct Wikimedia public domain image.

Contributed by Malcolm Davison.