Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 18 October 1929

Dark House

Young Girl’s Fatal Fall In New House

Kilnhurst Tragedy

“The state of the staircase, passage, landing in this house should be reported to the Medical Officer of Health,” said the Sheffield Deputy Coroner, Col. A. M. Connell, returning a verdict of “Accidental death” at an inquest at Kilnhurst on Friday the death of Lily Thomas (17), Victoria Street. Kilnhurst.

James Wm. Thomas (father) said that on Tuesday is family were removing from a house in Swinton to 99. Victoria Street Kilnhurst. His daughter had been assisting at the new house. About 7:45 pm Lily went to an upper room to fetch some things  for tea. To get to the room she had to go up a passage, a flight of stairs and on a landing. None of these were lighted.

Witness knew that Lily laid gone but said, and soon afterwards heard a noise as though someone or something had fallen down the stairs. He ran to the and at bottom found Lily lying unconscious and bleeding the mouth and ears. She fallen down the attars. He picked her up, took her to the kitchen and sent for the doctor. She did not regain consciousness and died the following day.

The Coroner: These are the most alarming facts I have ever known in my life. What are you going to do about lighting these places!

Witness: I sent to the Swinton Gas Works straight away about it and I am going to have lights installed.

The Coroner: It will be better for everybody concerned, and especially so for their safety.

Dr. C. J. H. Aitken, of Kilnhurst, gave evidence of being called to the home, where he found Lily lying unconscious, bleeding from the nose and right ear. Death was caused by a fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain.