Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Monday 24 April 1865.

Sudden Death.

On Thursday last an inquest was held at the "Brickmakers Arms," Strood at 11 o'clock, upon the body of a man named Philip Fairman, aged 20, a labourer, in the employ of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company. The inquiry took place before the deputy coroner, Bower Marsh, Esq.; and Mr. Oliff, of the "Railway Tavern," was chosen for foreman of the jury. Having viewed the body, which was dreadfully mangled, the coroner proceeded to examine the following witnesses.

James West stated that he knew the deceased, Philip Fairman, by site only. He was at work with him on the morning of the occurrence from 6 o'clock till shortly after 10. He was employed by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway Company to pick up stones on the line. He was at work on the down line at the time the train came along and struck him. He afterwards saw his body lying on the line after the train went past. He should suppose, from the manner in which the deceased acted, that he was rather death.

George Haines, of Duke Street, Blackfriars, London, the guard any employee of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway, said that on Tuesday morning he acted as under guard between Bush Bank and Strood. He heard the driver sound his whistle, and he pulled up the train as soon as possible. The driver stated that the train had come in contact with a man, who appeared to have received severe injuries. Witness then went back, when he discovered the body lying with the head in the direction of Strood, and the previous witness standing by its side crying. Deceased appeared quite dead, but witness sent for a surgeon.

Thomas Boltwood, the engine-driver belonging to the train, said that on approaching the Strood Station, about 10 yards before coming to the curve, he saw the deceased on the down line. He was standing sideways, not looking towards the train, when he blew the whistle, but the deceased was still in the same position till the engine struck him. The train was travelling at the rate of about 30 to 35 miles an hour.

John Langston, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, said that on coming to the spot where the unhappy occurrence had taken place, he found the deceased quite dead. Death must have been instantaneous, as the wheel of the engine passed completely over his head, and the brains are all scattered about. He was a lad of hereditary nervous weakness and excitability of mind, and subject to epileptic fits. From the evidence which had been given by the other witnesses, he was of opinion that the fright which seized the deceased at the time must of paralysed his brain and nerves to such an extent as to prevent him from moving. The jury, without the slightest hesitation, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."