A terrible fatality befel the respected Vicar of Hemingford Grey on Monday afternoon, whilst he was on his way to Houghton to arrange for the special Lenten services. Walking along the bridge spanning the river near the Abbots he was knocked down and instantly killed by an engine which was running from St. Ives about four o'clock.
It did not take very long for the sad news to reach the village, which seemed to a large number most incredible. However, the truth was only too apparent, for in half-an-hour's time his body was brought on a wagon to the vicarage, where every preparation had been made by Mr. Herbert Woods for its reception.
The deceased was to have sung twice at a concert arranged by Mr. Duggins (the schoolmaster) to take place that evening, for providing means to purchase prizes for the day scholars, he being a member of the School Board of the parish since its formation over three years ago.
There was also to have been a supper on the following evening, provided by Mr. E. G. Bevan, to church-workers in general, but of course that, like the concert, was immediately postponed.
Very great regret is felt in the village at the Vicar's death, and much sympathy for Mrs. Curtois, the family, and relatives is apparent amongst the villagers.
The Rev. Peregrine Edward Curtois was an M. A. of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where he graduated about the year 1860. He was ordained deacon in 1861, and priest in 1862, by the Bishop of Ely, having been in the interim curate of Hemingford Grey. He then went as curate to Market Deeping, where he stayed three years, before leaving in 1865 for Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Here he also worked three years, after which he returned to the scene of his first curacy, to be vicar there until the day of his death.
The deceased gentleman was almost as well-known in St. Ives as at Hemingford. Most mornings he visited the towns, either on foot or on tricycle, neer leaving his dearly-loved briar-root at home. He was conscientiously attentive to all his duties as a clergyman, but it was in the social circle the writer knew him best. Blest with a deep bass musical voice, he was often heard with delight at the village concerts, and especially at the "smokers" in connection with the Reading Room. To hear his pleasant voice no more will be a grief of no ordinary kind to those who knew him so well. The rev. gentleman's delight was to ring the splendid set of bells he had at the vicarage, and also in change ringing at church. He used to travel many miles to indulge in this favourite pastime, being a member of various campanological societies. He was chaplain of the St. Ives Union Workhouse, and it was very pleasing to see how kindly he spoke to the inmates, one and all, and not the least regret at his sudden death will be felt by the folks, old and young, whose lot it is to pass their days in the Workhouse. He was very much interested in educational work, being a member of the local School Board, and his counsels were always in favour of peace on that somewhat controversial body. Among his fellows he was a genial, unassuming, real old-fashioned English gentleman. To his widow and his fatherless daughters heartfelt sympathy wil be given on all hands in their terrible and sudden loss, while in St. Ives and the two Hemingfords this will be supplemented by a deep sense of loss at the death of such an old friend.
By the Foreman: He was quite cheerful at dinner. He presumed his brother was going to Houghton.
Dr. R. W. Grove, medical practitioner of St. Ives, was called, and stated that he was the deceased's ordinary medical attendant. He (witness) saw him yesterday morning on the way to St. Ives. They passed the time of day. Deceased seemed particularly bright and well. He was a man of a most cheerful disposition. It was correct that he was short-sighted, and very liable to have his mind pre-occupied.
By Major Curtois: He had no special cause for any trouble. He had a daughter ill, but nothing to give any anxiety.
William Shelton, living at Peterborough, said he was a driver in the employ of the G.N.R. He was driving a light engine from St. Ives, leaving that town at 3.55 p.m. The guard and his mate were on the engine with him. He (witness) saw just before he got to Houghton viaduct someone on the line. He thought it was a platelayer and he whistled. The person appeared to be standing still. The engine was about 100 yards away from the viaduct when he whistled. The wind was blowing against him. Just before he got to him deceased turned round and ran towards the engine. He was on the left side of the four-foot way when he saw him first. He tried to get off on the right hand side, and the engine caught him. When witness first whistled deceased did not seem to hear it. The engine did not go over deceased's head. The cut was caused by the head striking the girder. The side wheels of the engine cleared the deceased, and his hip was caught by the step and this threw him against the girder.
By the foreman: He whistled continuously.
Answering the coroner witness said he stopped the engine about two lengths from where the accident happened. He then went back for assistance.
By Mr. Ebsworth: He whistled when 30 yards from the deceased. He then applied the brake. It was the vacuum brake, and there was a reverse attached to the engine. He was going at the rate of 28 to 30 miles an hour. He could have stopped the engine within 80 yards. When he first saw the deceased he thought he was standing out of danger. The deceased tried to get out of danger, but he seemed confused and ran towards the engine.
Richard Famely, platelayer, living at Hemingford Grey, and employed on the joint road stated that he knew the Houghton viaduct. There was no public footpath over it. The line was a single one. The distance between the rails and the bridge side was 2ft. 6in. He was at work yesterday on the line, about a quarter of a mile away from where the accident happened.He heard the engine stop and then they ran to see what had occurred. He distinctly heard the whistle. When he got to the spot he saw deceased jammed in the girders, being drawn there by the engine. He (witness) stopped at the spot until further help arrived, and then assisted to get the body home. He saw nothing of deceased until after the accident.
By a Juror: Where the deceased laid it was about 27 yards from where the engine stopped. The engine was not off the bridge.
John Richardson, locomotive inspector, in the service of the G.N.R., living at New England, Peterborough, stated that the step was about 12 to 15 inches above level, and the project from the step about 12 inches from the rails.
By Mr. Ebsworth: Witness could not say how long the driver and fireman had been on duty. The question was not pressed.
P.c. Pateman, of Hemingford Grey, said about 4.30 on Monday afternoon Mr. Knights came for him, and he went to the Houghton viaduct. There he found the body of the deceased gentleman lying on the left hand side of the line with his head towards St. Ives. The body had not been moved. His head was severely mutilated, left leg partly cut off, with blood and brain scattered all about. Witness found deceased's pipe two yards away. It appeared deceased's head struck the girder and then the body was carried two yards further on. His hat was in the river. With the assistance of the railway officials witness brought the body to the vicarage.
By Mr. Curtois: Witness thought unless it was a practical man there would be no chance for any one to escape with an engine going 30 miles an hour.
By the Coroner: People used this way in flood time.
By Mr. Watson (Chief Inspector): There was no footpath on the viaduct.
The Coroner remarked that he did not think anyone was to blame for this sad occurance. It was evident that deceased took this short cut on the line to prevent him going round for four or five miles. They would quite understand people to save these miles would have done the same, and most likely he (the Coroner) would himself. If it would be possible to place a footpath alonside the bridge to enable people to walk in safety in time of flood, it seemed reasonable to ask that it should be done. They could hardly expect the Railway Company to undertake this, nor could they make the railway people responsible. It was a question if anything could be done by the people to make this footway.
A Juror: It is not practicable, sir.
He did not think they could underrate the fact that the deceased was there without any authority. Deceased seemed to be standing on the bridge thinking about something else, and before he actually realised his position the lamentable accident occurred.
The Jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of "Accdental Death," and that no blame could be attached to anyone. The jury desired to express their deep sympathy with Mrs. Curtois and family in their sad and sudden bereavement.
Mr. Josiah Medcalf, on behalf of Mr. Crabtree and his railway colleagues, also wished to express their deep sense of sympathy, and he wished to have theirs added to the remarks of the jury.
The funeral takes place today (Friday), at Hemingford Grey.