Mexborough and Swinton Times October 18, 1929
Wath Tragedy.
Two Little Boys Killed While Crossing Railway.
Father Renders First Aid.
While crawling under trucks which were being shunted into Manvers Main Colliery siding at Wath, two little Wath lads, aged three and four were so badly injured that they died after admission to,the Montagu Hospital, Mexborough.
Fred Prigmore, aged 3, Doncaster Road,Wath, had severe abdominal injuries, and both his legs were practically severed.
Walter Colin South, aged 4, of Doncaster Road. Wath, had a fracture of the leg, cuts, and severe shock
Prigmore, who was terribly injured, died about ten minutes after admission to the hospital, and his companion died about nine o’clock’ the same night. It appears that the lads were crossing the line at about 9-30 in order to get into the Court in which they both lived. They were seen coming across the line hand in hand, and they then disappeared under some trucks which were being shunted into Manvers Main Colliery yard. Whilst they were under the trucks, the engine was started, but the whole train of 14 wagons had passed over the lads before anyone could get to them.
One of the first to go to their assistance was Prigmore’s father, who is a qualified ambulance man, and with great presence of mind he rendered first aid
Dr. A Johnston was almost immediately in attendance and the Montagu Hospital, Mexborough in the Manvers Main Ambulance. It was obvious that the little lad Prigmore could not live, and it is understood that he died about ten minutes after admission. The other lad was not so severely injured, but he did not recover from the shock, and died the same evening at about 9 o’clock.
The boys were not old enough to attend school. They both lived in the same yard, and were companions. “Children frequently play on the line at this point,” declared a neighbour to our representative. “They are always being warned, but it does not seem to make any difference,” The railway line runs past the ill-fated children’s homes, and though railway sleepers have been erected, many of these have been pulled out, leaving gaps big enough for a child to crawl through.
An inquest will be held at the Montagu Hospital to-day (Friday) at 10-20