South Yorkshire Times, July 21, 1951

CRASH SCENE BECAME INFERNO

Wrecked Lorries Blocked West Melton Road

Eight Men in Hospital

Eight men were detained in hospital when two lorries in which they were travelling were involved in a head-on crash and caught fire near West Melton on Monday evening. The collision occurred on a stretch of road between Stubbin and West Melton. So fierce was the blaze that the wrecked vehicles were soon gutted. The road was impassable for over three hours.

Mr Rawson of Newhill Road, Wath, said his daughter, Betty, had been looking out of the window of their home and saw a sheet of flame caused by the collision. He told Betty’s friend, Roger Haigh, to inform the fire brigade, and set out to the accident.

Mr. Rawson was full of praise for the injured men. One who had arms and legs burnt said: “See to the others first; they are worse than me.”

DID TYRE BURST?

Mr. Rawson said he thought the articulated lorry had burst a tyre before it struck the workmen’s lorry broadside. A St. John Ambulance worker, he was able to assist in giving first aid to the injured.

Driver of the truck carrying the eleven men home to Sheffield was Edward Jones (26) of 168 Aughton Road, Aughton. He was taken to Mexborough Montagu Hospital, but later transferred to a Sheffield hospital.

Nearly all the men in the two lorries were taken in ambulances to Mexborough Montagu Hospital.

Detained were: Arthur Ward (24) of 4, Mount Road, Grimethorpe (burns),; Maurice Winspear (22), 5, Manor Crescent, Grimethorpe (burns); George Stephenson (43) 38, Michael’s Estate, Grimethorpe (burns); Henry Hinchley (40) 132, Birley Moor Road, Frecheville (broken collar bone and leg); Alan Mirfin (27), 27, Nursery Road, Swallownest (broken leg); James Docherty (40), of 20, Watch Street, Woodhouse Mill; and Ernest Sharp (45) of 96, Hollinsend Road, Intake.

The following were not detained but allowed to go home after treatment: John Priest (17) 217, Cromer Street, Grimethorpe; Roland Winters (26) of 18, Holmesley Lane, South Kirkby; William Johnson (43) 6, Epworth Drive, Aston, and Sidney Billingham (29) of 18, Plantation Close, Maltby.

Slightly injured were; James Stringfellow (30) Donald Platts (37), Horace Savage (31), William McCloud (40), Arthur Boyce (26), David Allott (23) and Donald Hardman (17).

Only two men were still detained in hospital last night – Maurice Winspear and George Stephenson. Both were reported to be fairly comfortable. Ernest Sharp and James Docherty were allowed home on Tuesday.