JOHN BATER

SAD DEATH OF A NAVVY — An inquest was held last evening at the 'Black Boys' Hotel, before the Borough Coroner, Dr. Watson, J.P., and a jury of whom Mr Comyns was foreman, upon the body of a navvy name John Bater, who died on the previous day from injuries sustained whilst working at the new railway junction at Greenham. It appears that on Monday morning last deceased was knocked down by a trolley attached to a horse, which took fright at the splashing of some water from a cask thereon. He was picked up and removed to the Navvies' Hospital, where he died from paralysis, the result of some injury to the spine. The horse in question was the same as caused the death of another navvy a short time since at Shaw, but Mr Bullmore, who was at the inquest, said the animal was free from vice, and perfectly safe. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death. The deceased was about 46 years of age, his wife had died about three years since. He leaves three children entirely destitute. A lady, it is said, has very kindly taken up the case, and it is hoped will be able to get the orphans admitted into some home. The Jury kindly gave their fees to the destitute children, and the Coroner supplemented the gift of the jury with a donation of 5s.

JOHN BATER

Bater   Dec 7 at the Navvy’s Hospital, Newbury, John Bater, aged 46