Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 for Wiltshire

Bull, Frederick     1892 August 5^th Tisbury

Superintendent Bull Killed

Hardly have we recovered from the shock of the tragic death of Sergeant Moulden before we hear of a lamentable accident, resulting in the death of Supt Bull of Tisbury. This gentleman has been in the force for some years, having been made Inspector when Mr Stephens was made Superintendent. He was a man universally respected and great regret will be felt at the sudden termination of his career.

The accident happened on Saturday afternoon, and Mr R A Wilson (County Coroner) held an inquest on Monday when the following evidence was adduced.

Mr William Baldwin, of Devizes, deputy chief constable, said the deceased was a Superintendent of Police of the Wilts Constabulary. He resided at Tisbury, and was 52 years of age.

The Right Hon Lord Arundell, of Wardour Park, deposed:

I saw the deceased drive up to Wardour Castle. I was on the point of going out for a ride. He had come to see me on magisterial business and to sign some summonses. As it was only the work of a minute the deceased held my horse, whilst I went into the house. When I came out of the house we noticed the horse had slipped the bridle off its head. The deceased went towards the horse, which started off. The deceased went after it, and when he overtook the horse he stepped on the bridle with the intention of stopping the horse. He put his foot between the blinkers, which held his foot and threw him over, and I saw the trap go right over the middle of his body. I gave the alarm and a groom came from the stable and I went to the deceased, but the horse and trap had galloped on. He said, “Oh my heart, me heart!” and asked if the horse could not be caught. These were the only words he said. I held him until assistance came. We laid him on the grass and used what restoratives we could and sent for a doctor, but he passed away very quietly about twenty minutes after the accident.

Dr J E Ensor, of Tisbury, said he was called on Saturday afternoon to go to Wardour Castle, as there had been an accident. He went and found the deceased lying on the grass in front of the house. He was then dead. The body was afterwards removed into the Castle and witness made an examination. He found that four ribs on the right side were broken but there were no other outward signs of injury. From the appearance of the body he came to the conclusion that some internal blood vessel had been ruptured and that deceased had bled inwardly until he died.

PC Jones, of Tisbury, said he acted as groom to the deceased and he harnessed the horse on Saturday at 2.15pm. It was the same harness which had been in use for the last nine months.

The Coroner having briefly summed up the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” and added the following resolution : The jury desire to express their sincere sympathy with the widow and family of the late Mr Bull, in their lamentable bereavement.” The Coroner thoroughly endorsed this expression of sympathy and stated that he would forward it to the widow and family of the deceased.

The jury gave their fees to the Police Widow and Orphan Fund. We are informed that the late Superintendent was insured in the Accidental Insurance Office to the amount of £300.