Accidents do Happen

Casualties and Fatalities - Pitched From a Cart

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 13 February 1905

A fatal accident occurred at Doncaster on Friday night, when a single man named Frederick Crossman, aged 27 years, was thrown from a cart, and, striking his head on the pitchers of the
gutter, was killed immediately. At about 9 o'clock on Friday night deceased was driving a horse in an empty cart along a street in Doncaster. The horse took fright at three young men who were sitting on the edge of the gutter and bolted; and after the horse had gone about 200 yards the off wheel ran into the water channel (about 18in. deep), and Crossman was thrown head foremost to the pitchers. He was taken into a house close by, and Mr. W. J. Craig, M.B., of Box Hill, was sent for. Before Mr.
Craig arrived the man was dead. The young men by whom the horse was alarmed stated to Constable James that they did not do anything to frighten it. One of them said further that when the horse started off Crossman was not holding the reins, and was endeavouring to clutch them as the horse bolted.

1905 'CASUALTIES AND FATALITIES.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 13 February, p. 6. , viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9884293

Fatal Accident At Doncaster.

Reporter, Box Hill, Vic., Friday 17 February 1905

A single young man named Frederick Crossman, aged 28, met with a fatal accident on Friday evening last in Main road, Doncaster, between the hours of 8 and 9. Mr Crossman was returning home in his empty dray, and when nearly at his own gate, was thrown out on his head. The skull was badly fractured, and the chest bruised. The poor young fellow never regained consciousness, and died in a few minutes. It is surmised that the horse, a quiet one, took fright at something on the side way. The animal bolted, knocking Mrs Harry Reynolds down. The wheel passed over her legs, which received severe abrasions. A few yards below where Mrs Reyolds [sic] was knocked down, the accident to deceased happened. Nobody saw what actually occurred and the frightened horse was stopped near Mr Stutt's. Mr Crossman was beyond all human assistance, and Mrs Reynolds' injuries were fortunately found to be not very serious. Mr Tom Petty. J.P., held a formal inquiry into the cause the accident on Saturday afternoon. The remains of the deceased, who was highly respected, were interred in the Box Hill cemetery on Monday, a very lengthy cortege following, to pay the last tokens of respect. The Rev G. A. C. Wade read the funeral service and Bro. John Tully the ritual of the I.O.R. whose members had marched in procession from the cemetery gates to the grave side. Mr Otto Preuss conducted the funeral arrangements. Very great sympathy is felt and expressed on all hands for the sorrowing relatives and friends.

1905 'Fatal Accident At Doncaster.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 17 February, p. 5. , viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90309239


A fatal accident, which is attributable solely to the dangerous practice of allowing children to play with fireworks, occurred in Johnston-street, Collingwood, at about half-past seven o'clock on Saturday evening. A young man, named George Buck, aged 23 years, who is a farmer residing at Templestowe, near Doncaster, was driving a load of wood, being at the same time seated on the summit of the load. When near the intersection of Johnston and George-streets, Fitzroy, some children threw a bunch of Chinese crackers into the centre of the street, which frightened the horse, and caused him to bolt. For a while Buck attempted to control the animal, but after going about a hundred yards, was either thrown from, or fell, while attempting to descend from the load, and his head coming beneath the wheel of the heavily laden dray, was completely crushed, the unfortunate young man being killed on the spot. The body was conveyed to the Melbourne Hospital, where an inquest will be held at 2 o'clock to-day.
1881 'MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1881.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 31 October, p. 4. , viewed 22 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5971798

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