Man fell to his death at Knowle Hill Quarry Dec 25th, 1885. – C W Lee’s Diary

Man fell Knowle Hill Quarry Dec 25th, 1885. 

ECKINGTON. Shocking Death.

 

James Swanwick, collier, who lodged with Wm. Topley, of the Halfway Horses, Eckington, met with a shocking death on Christmas Eve. Between four and five o’clock he went for Wm. Topley to Mosbro’, to obtain some clown’s clothes for acting, and met John Mitchell at the Pingle, at the Alma public house. Mitchell gave him the clothes, and after staying some time they left shortly before seven o’clock. Swanwick left Mitchell, and went across the footpath known as the Brow, leading from Mosbro’ to Halfway Houses, carrying the bundle. The unfortunate man had not gone more than halfway across the fields when he appears to have turned away from the footpath and gone down Cadman’s field. He then got over the railings above Well’s quarry, Knowl Mill-road, and immediately afterwards fell over into the bottom of the quarry, a depth about fifty feet. The deceased fell on a plank, which was broken by his fall, his face was smashed, and his neck apparently broken. William Hutton, who lives at the quarry, found the deceased on Christmas Day.

 

 

 

 

BNA © Derby Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 29 December 1885