Sydenham Times, 2 September 1862.

The Fatal Tunnel Accident.

An inquest was held at the "Longton Hotel," on Tuesday, by Mr. Carttar, coroner, and a highly respectable jury, on the death of Joshua Putts, a miner, living at Crown terrace, Lower Sydenenham, and employed by Messrs. Horley, Heals, and Turner, at the Sydenham tunnel of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway.

Robert Davis, miner, Paxton park, Sydenham, said that on the evening of the 24th inst. he was assisted by the deceased to remove a balk of timber from the stage at the crown of the tunnel, and had it slung in pulleys with one end resting on the stage. The deceased ordered the man at the wheel to hoist, which caused the timber to swing round, and crushed his head against one of the side ribs, causing blood to gush from his ears and nose, and he fell into his arms, and expired in a few minutes. Immediate steps were taken to get him to the mouth of the shaft, where Mr. Stutter, of Sydenham, was ready to render any assistance, but he at once said that life was extinct.

In answer to questions from the learned coroner, the witness said he considered the machinery was in perfect order, the work being carried on in a careful, steady manner. The men were all sober, and he considered the deceased's death to be the result of an accident, and beyond the control of any person on the works.

Thomas Ikin, miner, Willow-road, Sydenham, gave evidence corroborating the previous witness, and added that a similar accident had never before occurred in his experience on railway works.

Mr. James Horley said the unfortunate man had been in his employ about twelve months, and was a very steady man and careful workman, he considered the occurrence quite an accident.
The jury, after a short consultation returned a verdict of accidental death.

The deceased was 45 years of age, and has left a widow and large family, for whose benefit a subscription will be made on the works, and amongst the gentry of the locality.