Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 23 May 1930
Died of Burns.
Thurnscoe Woman’s Misadventure
Turning Out the Gas
In inquest was held at the Montagu hospital on Friday into the death of Mary Elisabeth Williams, aged 71, of 27, Station Road, Thurnscoe, which occurred on May 14. The inquiry was conducted by Mr. W. Carlile, district coroner.
Mark Williams (husband) said that on Saturday May 3rd, his wife went to bed about 9-50 A lighted gas lamp was left in the kitchen for his son. About 10-50 his wife decided to go downstairs to turn off the gas. She left the room carrying a lighted candle, and was wearing a nightdress of highly inflammable material. The next thing I beard was my wife screaming, ‘Mark, for heaven’s sake come downstairs.’ I dashed downstairs and found my with her nightdress in flames. I got a coat and extinguished the flames and then sent for Dr. Malcolm.”
Mr. Williams said he thought the Reddest was caused by his wife slipping off a low chair and falling on the lighted candle. He found both his wife and the candle on lb. floor. His wife was attended that night by Dr. Malcolm and taken the following day to the Mexborough Hospital.
Norman Williams, son, a motor driver at Hickleton Main Colliery, who lived with his father and mother, said that he was in bed about 10.30p.m. on May 3rd., when he heard a bump downstairs
“We found mother with her Nightdress on fire. We tried to put the dames out with a coat but not so I threw some water on her.”
Dr. Jean Smith, resident surgeon Montagu Hospital, said deceased was admitted on May 4th, about 11-45 a.m., suffering from extensive burns. She died from shock and exhaustion caused by the burns on May 14th.
A verdict of “Accidental Death” recorded