Inquest into the death of Robert Rushby [1919]

Whirled to Death

Inquest on Robert Rushby, aged 35, married, of 13 Grove Street, Sowerby Bridge, who sustained fatal injuries whilst following his employment at Messrs T. H. Longbottom & Sons, worsted coating manufacturers, Carlton Mills, Sowerby Bridge.

Mary Ann Rushby, Widow, said that her husband was fully accustomed to machinery. He died in her arms whilst the ambulance was going down the side of the moor.

Mitchell Barker of 10 Grove Street, foreman warehouseman, stated it was the duty of the deceased to attend to the economisers, and he was about to repair a belt. He had to go to the upper floor to put on the belt. The deceased got on the top of a case of yarn and put the belt over the shaft. Gripping the belt with both hands and still standing on the yarn case, he asked witness for a piece of twine to repair the belt. Witness did this and left him.

The next he heard was the feet of the deceased banging against the ceiling of the room. Witness ran to tell Mr Longbottom that the engineman had gone round the shaft and Mr Longbottom stopped the engine.

Francis E. Longbottom, of Pickwood House, Norland, Worsted manufacturer, said he did not know the deceased was about to carry out the work. During the last three years, the deceased would have done this work on several occasions. There was no particular need to do this work at that time.

The Coroner said there was no blame attached to any one. It would have been more discretionary to have done the work when the machinery was stopped. Having done the work before, the deceased probably did not recognise the danger.

Rushby, the Coroner said, was a good workman and on behalf of the firm he extended sincere sympathies to the widow