South Yorkshire Times, Saturday, June 20th, 1970
Verdict on Boy Killed By Train
A four-year old Kilnhurst boy was playing with his elder brother and two friends on the railway at Kilnhurst on Monday when he was struck and killed by a 70 m.p.h. express train, a Rawmarsh inquest heard yesterday Thursday
Ian Walker. of 37, Springfield Road, Kilnhurst, was running across the tracks with his brother. Eric (6). Gary Atkinson (S) and Glynn Atkinson (6). Eric and his two friends got to the main platform at Kilnhurst Railway Station, but Ian was left on the central platform.
“They heard a train coming and told Ian to stay where he was. But, he must have tried to come across the two tracks between them and was hit by the train.” said P.C. John Green.
Coroner for the Rotherham District of the West Riding Dr. Herbert Pilling said that all investigations seemed to confirm this story.
‘The track curves before Kilnhurst station and as soon as the driver saw the children he applied his brakes, but the train was travelling at 70 miles an hour.”
Recording a verdict of “Accidental death.” Dr. Pilling added. “The facts of this fateful tragedy. do not need any comment
“He died of multiple injuries accidentally sustained when he was struck by a train as he playing on the main railway line.”