Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Friday 23 November 1928

Hedge at Corner.

 Jury’s Rider at Inquest on Wath Boy.

How a hedge at the corner of Sandygate and Riley Roads, Wath-on-Dearne, was partly responsible for a fatal motor accident was revealed at inquest held at Mexborough, yesterday, on Freeman Lee (6), of 10, Riley Road. Wath, who, on Monday, ran out of that road, hesitated and when crossing Sandygate Road was knocked down a motor-car driven by John Penrise, metal merchant, of 21, Peterson Road,Wakefield, and received injuries and shock from which he died in the Montagu Hospital on Tuesday.

An eye-witness of the accident, Thomas Robinson, labourer, of 3, Ash Row, Wath, said the motorist had no chance to avoid the boy. He sounded his horn and was driving at a reasonable speed. The hedge at the corner of the roads was to blame. Even grown-up people had to go on the tramlines to see what was coming down Sandygate Road.

Mr. Penrise said when he saw the boy he instantly applied his brakes in attempt to avoid him. Witness had been driving cars for 25 years. He had clean licence and no charge had ever been brought against him.

The jury, returning a verdict of Accidental death,” added a rider that the hedge at the corner of the roads should be cut down the near future.