Quotefrom the Derby Daily Telegraph. 1909.
Midland Railway Mystery.
The Inquest Adjourned.
The coroner’s enquiry into the circumstances of the shocking fatality on the Midland Railway near Bobber’s Mill crossing was opened at Hyson Green Police Station on Wednesday evening by Mr C.L. Rothera. The deceased was a youth of 17 years named Fred Cuthbert, of 72 Randall street, whose body was discovered on the line early on Tuesday morning, the legs having been severed from the body by a passing train. The proceedings were watched by Inspector A.S. Knibbs on behalf of the railway company.
Sarah Ann Cuthbert, mother of the deceased, said her son was a chemist’s assistant employed by Mr Cundy, of Shakespeare street. He had worked there for a year and was in no business trouble, having borne a very good character. Deceased was on good terms with those at home, but he generally went out in the evening with a friend who lived at Aspley, or somewhere in that district. Witness did not know the young man and had been unable to trace him. Deceased had not been in the habit of reading pernicious literature and was of a cheerful, though quiet disposition. Witnesses knew of absolutely nothing likely to induce him to take his own life.. He went out on Monday evening and was not seen again alive.
Edward Barker, a Midland engine driver, said he was in charge of the 5:30 train from Nottingham to Cresswell on Tuesday morning and as he was approaching the Bobber’s Mill crossing he met a train coming in the opposite direction and the driver signalled to him that he had noticed a body lying on the rails upon which witnesses train was proceeding. Witness stopped his own train immediately and on investigating matters saw that the body of the deceased was lying on the track some distance ahead. The legs had been cut clean off near the trunk by a previous train, and witness saw that the rails were clean and free from bloodstains, indicating that several trains had passed over them in the darkness. Witness informed the signalman at the crossing box, and passed on with his train.
John Whyman, the signalman, spoke to visiting the body and finding the trunk lying between the metals and the legs outside. The corpse was quite cold. Between ten o’clock and six in the morning seven trains passed on the metals across which the body lay. There was no path or crossing near the spot and to reach it from the road he would have to climb a fence.
Replying to the Foreman, witness said he had occasionally seen people cross the metals.
The Coroner said there was at present no more evidence to call, but he certainly did not like to leave the case in such an incomplete state. It seemed very strange that a young fellow of good repute should be found in so remarkable a position and in such a condition. Mr Rothera certainly thought it worthwhile to make further enquiries and suggested an adjournment.