31 August 1901 – Joseph Long

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From the Wilts County Advertiser on Saturday the 31st of August 1901

During some blasting operations on the new line from Wootton Bassett to Patchway, Joseph Long, a navvy, residing at Sherston Magna, was severely injured. The man had been employed with others principally in blasting operations on the Alderton section of the works, and just before the accident a double shot had been put in and the usual precautions taken. There was an explosion, and Long went to see the result, and was bending over, thinking both charges had fired, when the second charge exploded, and he was hurled into the air some ten or twelve feet. He was picked up by his mates, and at once run down on the engine to Kingway depot, first aid being rendered.

Remains of the railway in Malmesbury, from Tommy’s Field. Friday the 16th of August 2024.

He was sent to the Malmesbury Hospital, where the case was taken in hand by Dr. Pitt, who found the man, besides being very badly burnt, was suffering from concussion of the brain and a compound fracture of the leg. Dr. Pitt set the injured limb and attended to the relief of the sufferer, who is in a very precarious state. Several other men had a very narrow escape, one of the number standing close to Long at the time of the accident.

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