Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Saturday 03 August 1907

Bricklayer’s Artistic Pride Proves Fatal.

Inquest at Bolton-On-Dearne.

At Bolton-on-Dearne yesterday afternoon Mr. D. Wightman held an inquest on Patrick Brannelley, 58, foreman bricklayer, employed by the Midland Railway Company, who was knocked- down by a Great- Central express train last Wednesday afternoon.

Mr. C. Pearce presented the Midland Railway Company, and Inspector Buckley, Mexborough, attended on behalf of the Great Central Railway Company. The evidence was that deceased with other workmen was repairing the wing wall of No. bridge of the Swinton and Knottingley Joint line, between Swinton and Bolton. He was working about feet from the rails. Another bricklayer named Mason, on being given signal of the approach of a train, told, Brannelley to keep clear. However on Mason turning round after the express had passed, he saw Brannelley laying about ten yards away from where had been working, with his head close to the outer rail.

The line at that point was fairly straight, and anyone could see a train 120 yards off. The driver of the express said he had no idea that his engine had knocked a man down until he was informed on Thursday.

The Coroner said the only explanation was that deceased stepped back to admire his work when the express was passing. “Accidentally killed” was the verdict returned.

Mexborough and Swinton Times August 10, 1907

Mr P.J.Brannelley

The well-known Bolton farmer and contractor, who was killed on the railway near Mexborough last week.