Whatley, Edward 1903 February 20th
The County Coroner (Mr R A Wilson) held an inquest at Milford on Tuesday, concerning the death of Edward Whatley, a groom, who died on Sunday from injuries caused by being thrown out of a trap on February 2nd.
Mr Hamilton Fulton said deceased was a groom in his service, and was about thirty-nine years of age. The horse deceased was driving was a quiet one, and had been driven by Mrs Fulton and his daughters.
Thomas Trodd, labourer, of Salisbury, said about 1.30 on Monday, Feb 2nd, when near the Wilderness, Milford Hill, there was a van with four horses attached unloading furniture. He saw Mr Fulton’s cart with the groom being driven towards town. When the horse came to the van it shied, because there was a tarpaulin on the ground which blew up and frightened the horse. The horse turned and broke off the shaft and bolted. Deceased did not appear to have any control over the horse.
Robert Bartlett, gardener, of Milford, said he was working in Mr Gerrish’s garden when he heard a horse galloping down the hill. He saw Mr Fulton’s groom driving the horse over which he appeared to have no control. Witness went into the road, and saw the deceased had been thrown out and was lying on the bank. Witness went to him, but he got up as he came near and went into the house.
Dr L D Saunders said he had been attending the deceased since the day after the accident. He was taken to the Infirmary on the previous day, where the surgeon dressed his wounds. Deceased had a double lacerated wound on the knee, not very large, but very deep, and several scratches on his hands and face. Deceased made excellent progress for eleven days, and then began to complain of pains in his body and a difficulty in speaking. Symptoms of lockjaw supervened, and deceased passed away 48 hours later.
The jury returned a verdict of death from lockjaw following injuries accidently caused.
Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 