Builder’s Truck Overturns at Conisbrough A man who called ambulances to the scene of a crash on Tuesday night in Low Road, Conisbrough, where three men died and numerous others were injured, told a reporter for the “South Yorkshire Times” that he was most likely the first to witness the overturned truck with its wheels still spinning right after the incident. Mr. Alan Burton, 47, Lime Grove, Conisbrough, claimed he was working close when about 5.30 he heard a big bang. He observed the damaged truck on its side, slewed over the main road, and he ran out. “Much Like a Butcher Shop”
There were men scattered around. Mr. Burton remarked, “It looked like a slaughterhouse” after a short while. According to Mr. Burton, he hurried to the Conisbrough phone exchange, where he dialed 911, then sprinted back down the road to alert oncoming drivers to the potential danger located in the gully below. James Osborne, 23, of 29 Marr Street, Denaby Main, and William Powell, 17, of 11 The Green, Highfield Farm Estate, were the two men who were slain outright. Later, in Doncaster Royal Infirmary, a third passed away. John Williams (age 28) of Don View, Mexborough was who he was. Four more men received treatment at Mexborough Montagu Hospital and seven more men were held at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Seven in the medical facility
away on their hands and knees to reach the footpath.” One man did not wait for help to come to him. He ran into the home of Mrs. A. Nicholson, bleeding from the head, and asking for his lost spectacles.
Another victim Wilfred Hudson of Carlton Street, Denaby, made his own way home despite bruises and shock. He was rendered unconscious by the crash, but said on recovering that he and his mates first realised something was wrong when the lorry began swaying.
“Mind Went Blank”
Another man who walked home nearly a mile was George Marshall of Balby Street, Denaby, but he did not know what had happened. “The canopy came up about four inches and my mind went blank,” he told a reporter the next day. “People say I was holding up traffic, but I don’t know. I walked from the accident myself – people say I looked drunk – and sat down to my tea, I didn’t know a thing.” When he entered the house, he hung up his clothes in a different place and it was obvious he was dazed.
Neither he or his parents knew anything until his sister passed the scene of the accident by bus. George’s father sent for a doctor and he was treated for bruised ribs and shock at Mexborough.
It is believed that the lorry skidded going downhill, swung to the right and struck a trolley bus standard. Part of the wood and metal canopy covering the men at the back was torn off and the lorry overturned on its offside, blocking half of the road. Police kept the traffic moving in a single line, and among helpers at the accident were doctors and two clergymen.
The injured at Doncaster are James Williams (25) of 24, Don View, Mexborough (brother of one of the dead men), Laurence Cooper of 5, High Street, Thurnscoe; Cyril Whitehouse of Church Street, Mexborough, Gerald Sampson of 53, Tickhill Street, Denaby and William Billington of 63, George Street, Highgate.
Those who escaped injury in the lorry are J. Salter of 20, Addison Road, Mexborough; T. Hazeldine of 23, Butcher Street, Thurnscoe; S. Lloyd of 39, Deightonby Street, Thurnscoe; M. W. Hammond of 9, Whitelea Road, Swinton; M. Taylor of 6, Meadow View Road, Kilnhurst and E. and B. Thompson of 189, Queen Street, Swinton, brothers.
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